Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

defensible

/dɪˈfɛn.sɪ.bəl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.81 in modern English

Syllables: de-fen-si-ble
IPA: /dɪˈfɛn.sɪ.bəl/

16

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Capable of being defended against armed attack.

adj

Capable of being justified.

Example Sentences

"Not only were those cities fortified, but their architects based their whole system on the strategical possibilities of the site, and closely followed its defensible contours."
"Those who are most familiar with the working of the present society are also usually interested in the preservation of particular features of that society which may not be defensible on general principle."

Etymology

From Old French defensable, from Latin defensibilem. Equivalent to defense + -ible.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /dɪˈfɛn.sɪ.bəl/
British English: /dɪˈfɛn.sɪ.bəl/

Inflected Forms

more defensible (comparative) most defensible (superlative)

Derived Forms

defensibility defensibleness defensibly undefensible

Synonyms

defendable

Antonyms

indefensible

Rhymes With

sensible indispensable reprehensible indefensible comprehensible ostensible dispensable insensible compensable

Questions

How do you pronounce defensible?: The recorded pronunciation is /dɪˈfɛn.sɪ.bəl/.
What does defensible mean?: Capable of being defended against armed attack.
Where does defensible come from?: From Old French defensable, from Latin defensibilem. Equivalent to defense + -ible.

How to pronounce defensible

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Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/dɪˈfɛn.sɪ.bəl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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