Words / C1

ind-i-FENS-uh-bl/ˌɪndɪˈfensəbl/

Indefensible means impossible to excuse or protect with a reasonable argument: an indefensible cut, indefensible delay. Defend (already in the dictionary) is the verb; “pressure of work” does not excuse a missing fire plan.

Meaning

Impossible to justify or to protect.

Examples

• “An unnamed night cell is indefensible cover; a resilience slide will not help.”
• “Leaving the sitting without a fire plan is indefensible, not “pressure of work”.”
• “Unjustifiable is the close twin. Untenable is a cousin. Pressure is a story. A plan with exits and a time is a file. Minute the plan; then describe the diary if it still matters.”

Good to know

Impossible to justify. Verb: defend (already in the dictionary). Pressure ≠ a missing fire plan.

Near in meaning

unjustifiable, untenable

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