Untenable

Meaning

Not able to be defended, maintained, or justified against criticism or argument; an impossible position to hold

Origin / Etymology

Latin tenere (to hold) + un (not)

Synonyms

Indefensible Unsustainable Unjustifiable Weak

Antonyms

Tenable Defensible Sound Justifiable

Example Sentence

"The subsidy regime that provided diesel at below-market prices created an untenable fiscal burden exceeding Rs 80,000 crore annually before rationalization in 2014."

🎯 UPSC Usage

Strong academic word for Mains, use when describing policy positions that cannot be sustained: 'the untenable status quo on farm subsidies', 'an untenable fiscal position', 'an untenable security situation'. Particularly effective when building a Mains argument: first describe why the current situation is untenable, then propose alternatives.

Relevant Subjects