Quick Definition
Tenable (adjective) describes a position, theory, or argument that can be maintained or defended against attack or objection. In a second sense, it describes an office or post that can be held for a stated period.
Example: "Their interpretation is no longer tenable in the light of the new evidence."
What Does Tenable Mean?
The word tenable comes from French tenable, from the verb tenir meaning "to hold", which in turn derives from the Latin tenere, also "to hold". A tenable position is, quite literally, one that can be "held" — whether that is a hill in a battle or an argument in a debate.
In modern English, tenable is a formal, evaluative adjective used mainly in academic, legal, and analytical writing. To say that a theory or argument is tenable is to say it can withstand criticism and be defended with sound reasoning or evidence. It is frequently used in the negative — "no longer tenable", "scarcely tenable" — to signal that a once-accepted view can no longer be maintained.
Key point: tenable is about defensibility, not certainty. A tenable argument is not necessarily correct; it is one that can be reasonably held and supported. There is also a separate, more technical sense referring to an office or post that can be held for a stated period, as in "a scholarship tenable for two years."
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level / Note |
|---|---|
| Her argument is tenable because the evidence clearly supports it. | B2 — discussion / neutral register |
| After the new figures came out, the old theory was no longer tenable. | B2 — academic / analytical register |
| The committee decided that his position had become untenable, so he resigned. | C1 — workplace / formal register |
| It is scarcely tenable to claim that the policy had no effect on prices. | C1 — debate / formal register |
| The fellowship is tenable for three years and may be renewed once. | C1 — institutional / formal register |
Word Family
Adjective
tenable
"A tenable argument."
Noun
tenability
"The tenability of the claim."
Adverb (rare)
tenably
"It can tenably be argued."
Antonym adjective
untenable
"An untenable position."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- defensible — able to be defended
- justifiable — able to be shown to be right
- arguable — capable of being argued for
- sustainable — able to be maintained over time
- sound — based on good reasoning
Antonyms
- untenable — impossible to defend
- indefensible — cannot be justified
- flawed — containing faults
- unjustifiable — impossible to defend as right
- weak — lacking force or strength
Common Collocations
- a tenable position — "He could no longer hold a tenable position in the debate."
- a tenable argument — "She put forward a tenable argument for reform."
- a tenable theory / hypothesis — "It remains a tenable theory among scholars."
- no longer tenable — "After the new data, that view is no longer tenable."
- scarcely / hardly tenable — "The objection is scarcely tenable on close inspection."
- tenable for (a period) — "The post is tenable for five years." (office / post sense)
Related Words
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Frequently Asked Questions about “tenable”
What does tenable mean in English?
Tenable means able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection. A tenable position, theory, or argument is one you can reasonably hold and back up with evidence or sound reasoning. For example: 'Their interpretation is no longer tenable in the light of the new data.' The word can also describe an office or post that can be held for a stated period, as in 'a fellowship tenable for three years.'
How do you pronounce tenable?
Tenable is pronounced /ˈtɛnəb(ə)l/. It has three syllables: TEN-uh-buhl. The main stress falls on the first syllable: TEN. The first syllable rhymes with 'ten', the middle is a soft 'uh' sound (a schwa), and the ending sounds like 'buhl'. Say it slowly: TEN... uh... buhl.
What is the CEFR level of tenable?
Tenable is a C1 (Advanced) level word. It appears mainly in academic essays, debates, legal writing, and analytical journalism, where speakers discuss whether an argument or position can be defended. C1 learners are expected to handle precise evaluative adjectives like tenable rather than relying only on simpler words such as 'reasonable'.
What are synonyms for tenable?
Synonyms for tenable include: defensible (able to be defended), justifiable (able to be shown to be right), arguable (capable of being argued for), sustainable (able to be maintained over time), and sound (based on good reasoning). Tenable specifically stresses that a position can withstand objections and attack, which is why it is so common in debate and academic argument.
What is the opposite of tenable?
The most common opposite of tenable is untenable, which describes a position that simply cannot be defended: 'After the scandal, his position became untenable.' Other antonyms include indefensible (cannot be justified), flawed (containing faults), unjustifiable (impossible to defend as right), and weak (lacking force). Note that 'untenable' is used far more often than 'tenable' in everyday English.
What is the noun form of tenable?
The noun form is tenability (/ˌtɛnəˈbɪlɪti/): 'The tenability of the theory was questioned in the review.' The adverb tenably also exists but is rare. The clearest contrast is with the negative adjective untenable, which is far more frequent than tenable itself. There is no common verb form linked directly to tenable.
What are common collocations with tenable?
Common collocations with tenable include: a tenable position, a tenable argument, a tenable theory, and a tenable hypothesis. It is very often used in the negative or with limiting adverbs: no longer tenable, scarcely tenable, and hardly tenable. These phrases are typical of academic, legal, and analytical writing where claims are weighed and tested.
Is tenable a positive or negative word, and how formal is it?
Tenable is broadly positive and neutral in tone: to call an argument tenable is to say it can be reasonably defended. However, it is a formal word and is often used inside negative phrases such as 'no longer tenable' or 'scarcely tenable', which then carry a critical edge. You will rarely hear it in casual conversation; it belongs to essays, reports, debates, and legal discussion.
What is the difference between tenable and feasible?
Both are positive, formal adjectives, but they focus on different things. Tenable is about whether an idea, theory, or argument can be defended against objection — it concerns reasoning. Feasible is about whether a plan or action can actually be done in practice — it concerns possibility. So a theory may be tenable even if a plan is not feasible: 'The hypothesis is tenable, but the experiment is not feasible without more funding.'
How can I practise the word tenable on LexFizz?
Use LexFizz's Flash Cards to practise tenable alongside related C1 words like defensible and feasible. The Vocabulary Quiz presents tenable in sentence context so you learn how it is used in arguments and essays, and the Wordsearch helps you fix the spelling. Try writing two sentences: one with 'a tenable argument' and one with 'no longer tenable', so you practise both the positive and the critical use.