Untenable

Pronunciation: /ʌnˈtɛnəbəl/

Definitions of untenable

adjective not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection

Example Sentences

A1 The idea of going on a vacation without any money is untenable.

A2 Living in a house with no electricity or plumbing is untenable.

B1 The company's decision to continue using outdated technology is untenable in today's market.

B2 The politician's stance on the issue became untenable after evidence of corruption was revealed.

C1 The professor's argument was deemed untenable by the majority of experts in the field.

C2 The CEO's position became untenable after a series of scandals rocked the company.

Examples of untenable in a Sentence

formal The current economic situation is untenable and requires immediate intervention.

informal Living with roommates who never clean up after themselves is just untenable.

slang I can't believe you're still dating that guy, it's totally untenable.

figurative The tension between the two countries has reached an untenable level, threatening to boil over into conflict.

Grammatical Forms of untenable

• past tense: was untenable
• plural: untenables
• comparative: more untenable
• superlative: most untenable
• present tense: is untenable
• future tense: will be untenable
• perfect tense: has been untenable
• continuous tense: is being untenable
• singular: untenable
• positive degree: untenable
• infinitive: to be untenable
• gerund: being untenable
• participle: untenable

Origin and Evolution of untenable

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'untenable' originated from the Latin word 'tenere' meaning 'to hold'. The prefix 'un-' was added to indicate the negation of the word 'tenable'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in a literal sense to describe something that cannot be held or maintained, 'untenable' has evolved to also describe arguments, positions, or situations that are indefensible or unsustainable.