defensibility
gb/dɪfˈɛnsˈɪbˈɪlɪti/ us/dɪfˈɛnsˈɪbˈɪlɪti/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
property
1
quality of being justifiable
how easy it is to give good reasons for a decision, claim, or action
Usage pattern:
the defensibility of [a decision/claim/policy/position]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse defensibility with defense. Defense can mean the act of protecting or arguing; defensibility means the quality of being easy or possible to defend.
Synonyms
justifiability (emphasizes whether something can be shown to be right or reasonable)
|
validity (emphasizes logical, legal, or factual soundness)
|
reasonableness (less formal and focuses on being fair or sensible)
Antonyms
indefensibility (the state of being impossible or very difficult to justify)
|
unjustifiability (the state of lacking acceptable reasons or evidence)
Collocations
legal defensibility
|moral defensibility
|political defensibility
|scientific defensibility
|commercial defensibility
|defensibility of a decision
|defensibility of a claim
|defensibility of a policy
|question the defensibility
|assess the defensibility
Themes
argument
|law
|business
|ethics
|decision_making
Examples
- The report questioned the defensibility of the company's pricing model.
- Before publishing the results, the team reviewed the scientific defensibility of its claims.
- The board discussed the legal defensibility of the decision before approving it.
Learner examples
- We need to check the defensibility of this policy.
- The defensibility of his argument was weak.
Noun
formal
C1
property
2
ability to be protected
how easy or possible it is to protect a place or system from attack
Usage pattern:
the defensibility of [a site/system/position/border]
Common mistake:
In everyday speech, people often use defendability or ability to defend instead; defensibility is more formal.
Synonyms
defendability (more direct and often used for physical or practical protection)
|
protectability (broader and less military in tone)
|
security (refers more generally to safety or protection, not specifically the ability to be defended)
Antonyms
vulnerability (the state of being open to attack or harm)
|
exposure (emphasizes being unprotected or easily reached by danger)
Collocations
military defensibility
|strategic defensibility
|defensibility of a site
|defensibility of a position
|defensibility of a border
|defensibility of a network
|improve defensibility
|reduce defensibility
Themes
military
|security
|architecture
|technology
Examples
- The hilltop location increased the defensibility of the settlement.
- Engineers evaluated the defensibility of the network against common cyberattacks.
- The castle's thick walls and narrow entrances were designed for maximum defensibility.
Learner examples
- The town's walls improved its defensibility.
- They studied the defensibility of the computer system.
Grammar
Dictionary form
defensibility
IPA
GB/dɪfˈɛnsˈɪbˈɪlɪti/
US/dɪfˈɛnsˈɪbˈɪlɪti/
Syllables & stress
de - fens - ib - il - ity (5 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fens)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: defensibility
- Plural: defensibilities
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.