adjective

tenable

TEN-uh-buhl

Tenable (adjective) means Able to be defended against criticism or objection; reasonable enough to hold as a position. Example: “After the new evidence emerged, his theory was no longer tenable.”

adjective

Able to be defended against criticism or objection; reasonable enough to hold as a position.

"After the new evidence emerged, his theory was no longer tenable."

"That is a perfectly tenable reading of the contract."

Of a military position, capable of being held against attack.

"The ridge was not tenable once the artillery was lost."

Of a post, grant or office, able to be held for a stated period or under stated conditions.

"The fellowship is tenable for three years at any UK university."

How to Use Tenable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAble to be defended or reasonably believed.

When to use it

Formal, common in academic, legal and journalistic writing. The negative untenable is far more frequently used than the positive.

Memory tip

Tenable is about whether an argument can be defended; tenuous is about whether it is weak or flimsy. They are near opposites, not variants.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

tenuous → viable → tangible →

Common pairings

no longer tenable a tenable position hardly tenable

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

After the new evidence emerged, his theory was no longer _____.

Etymology

From French tenable, from tenir 'to hold', from Latin tenere 'to hold'.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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defensible justifiable sound arguable plausible holdable

Antonyms

untenable indefensible

Related Words

go likely sound voice seem channel healthy volume

Rhymes for tenable

able fable cable table viable liable stable parable affable amiable notable capable

See all rhymes for tenable →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between tenable and tenuous?

Tenable means an argument or position can be successfully defended. Tenuous means it is thin, weak or barely supported. A tenuous link between two events is exactly the kind of thing that makes an argument untenable.

What is the difference between tenable and viable?

Tenable concerns whether a claim or position stands up to challenge; viable concerns whether a plan or organism can actually work or survive. A business plan can be viable, an interpretation can be tenable.

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