tenable — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. capable of being maintained or justified; well-founded

   Usage

   • usually
   • of a theory

   Synonyms

   defensible

   Examples

   Back in the 1800s, many did not consider Darwin's theory of evolution to be tenable at all.

   More examples (2)

   Modern war rests on industry, and its evolution has all but abolished the "non-combatant," emptied the old idea of "innocent" trade of meaning, and made even of neutrality a barely tenable status.

   Fitting into a tenable social position among other people requires not only the ability to simultaneously assess the nature of relationships with each person individually but also the ability to comprehend the indirect relational consequences of actions for connected relationships.

   In short, it is not a tenable position in our tight-knit community, or in a pluralistic democracy, to ask for a kinder space and to be unkind towards others.

2. Capable of being defended against assault or attack; defensible

   Examples

   The island of Melos undoubtedly fell within his general conceptions of tenable empire for Athens.

3. Fit for habitation, similar, or related use.

   Usage

   • Formal

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   In February, 1679, he was admitted "a planter" of the town and a home lot was granted him "on condition that it should have a tenable house built upon it within two years.

   They made a day of straightening the leaning stable on its foundations and staying its framework, so that with new roof and sheathing, it would be a tenable building for many years to come.

   Protecting or assisting occupant evacuation and safety by maintaining tenable building spaces and exit paths

Adjective

1. based on sound reasoning or evidence

   Synonyms

   well-founded

   Examples

   well-founded suspicions