Untenable

adjective

/ʌnˈtɛnəbl/

(Of a position, argument, or claim) not able to be maintained, defended, or justified against objection or attack. By extension, a situation that cannot be sustained or continued.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

Once independent fiscal data exposed the fudged growth figures, the government's claim of a debt-free recovery became wholly untenable, forcing a mid-year revision of the Union Budget.

Synonyms

indefensibleunsustainableinsupportableunjustifiableflimsybaseless

Antonyms

tenabledefensiblesustainablejustifiable

🌱 Word Family

tenable (adj), tenability (n), untenable (adj), untenably (adv), untenability (n)

🔡 Root

Latin tenēre = to hold; French tenable = holdable; un- = not; literally 'not able to be held'

📜 Etymology

From un- ('not') + tenable, the latter from French tenable, from Old French tenir 'to hold', ultimately from Latin tenēre 'to hold, possess'. First attested in English in the mid-17th century, originally meaning 'unable to be held against attack'.

🧠 Memory Hook

UN- + TEN (from Latin tenēre, 'to hold') + -able: literally 'not able to be held' - a position so weak you simply cannot hold on to it.

⚖️ Polity & Constitution 📖 Seen in: Fundamental Rights — Part III (Article...

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