indefensible

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   impossible to justify with a reasonable argument

   The court found the unequal treatment morally and legally indefensible.

2. 2
   adj

   impossible or extremely difficult to protect against attack

   Without control of the surrounding hills, the fort was indefensible.

Formed from in- ("not") + defensible. Defensible came through French from Medieval Latin defensibilis, based on Latin defendere ("ward off, protect"). The word applies both to positions that cannot be physically protected and to claims or conduct that cannot be justified.

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