untenable — not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection
Pronunciation (IPA): /ʌnˈtenəbl/
Example Sentences
- The CEO's position became untenable when employees found out he used company money to buy a golden toilet seat.
- His argument that homework helps students become ninjas was completely untenable.
- The company's financial situation became untenable after the market crash.
untenable
ADJECTIVE[/ʌnˈtenəbl/]
not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection
His untenable argument collapsed the moment new evidence appeared in court.
The old bridge is untenable, but the new one's sustainable and maintainable!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From the prefix 'un-' (not) combined with 'tenable', which comes from Latin 'tenere' meaning 'to hold' or 'to maintain'. The word literally means 'not able to be held or maintained'.
Breakdown
un- (not) + tenable (able to be held/maintained, from Latin tenere meaning 'to hold') = untenable (not able to be maintained or defended)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The CEO's position became untenable when employees found out he used company money to buy a golden toilet seat.”
“His argument that homework helps students become ninjas was completely untenable.”
“The company's financial situation became untenable after the market crash.”
“Living conditions in the overcrowded apartment were untenable.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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