Untenable
[ʌn'tenəb(ə)l] or [ʌn'tɛnəbl]
Definition
adj. not tenable not defensible.—ns. Untenabil′ity Unten′ableness.
Checker: Olivier
Examples
- I really wonder, sir,' rejoined the old pupil in an argumentative manner, 'to find you taking a position so untenable. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- At first I thought he might be Tarzan of the Apes; but he neither speaks nor understands English, so that theory is untenable. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- The above extracts are good illustrations, however, of scientific opinions up to the end of 1879, when Mr. Edison's epoch-making invention rendered them entirely untenable. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The captured line thus held being untenable, and of no advantage to us, the troops were withdrawn, but not without heavy loss. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- In short, his post became untenable; and having swallowed his quantum of tea, he judged it expedient to evacuate. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Lookout Valley being of no present value to us, and being untenable by the enemy if we should secure Missionary Ridge, Hooker's orders were changed. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
Checker: Olivier