What does indefensible mean?
Indefensible describes a claim, action, decision, or position that cannot be defended or justified on sound or ethical grounds. Its use signals more than ordinary disagreement: the thing being criticized is presented as unreasonable, morally unacceptable, or fundamentally impossible to defend. The word commonly appears in phrases such as “an indefensible argument,” “an indefensible position,” and “indefensible conduct.” It is especially frequent in formal debate, legal and political discussion, journalism, and ethical criticism. Because indefensible carries a strong negative judgment, writers generally reserve it for serious failures of reason, principle, or responsibility rather than for minor errors or personal preferences. In everyday conversation, it may be used more broadly to dismiss any position the speaker considers untenable, but in careful writing it is best applied when the grounds for condemnation can be clearly stated.
adjectiveImpossible or unacceptable to defend or justify, especially because it is unreasonable, morally wrong, or contrary to accepted principles.
- Impossible to defend or justify, especially an argument, claim, decision, or position.
- Unacceptable on moral grounds and therefore impossible to excuse or vindicate.
"The government refused to defend an indefensible decision that had caused serious harm."
"The witness made an indefensible claim that contradicted the established evidence."
"Reckless endangerment is indefensible, regardless of the defendant's motives."
Calling something indefensible is not just criticism—it declares that no honest argument can rescue it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of indefensible
Indefensible was formed in the late 16th century from the Latin prefix in-, meaning “not,” and defensible, meaning “able to be defended or justified.” Defensible belongs to the Latin family of defendere, “to ward off” or “repel,” from which English also developed defend, defense, defendant, and defensive. The prefixed form therefore literally conveys the idea of something that cannot be defended.
Related word forms
How indefensible is actually used
This is a formal and strongly evaluative word. It is especially common in argument, ethics, law, and journalism, and it normally conveys stronger condemnation than merely describing a position as weak or mistaken.
Easily confused with indefensible
Impregnable describes something strong enough to resist attack, whereas indefensible describes something that cannot be justified or defended on its merits.