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airtight

airtight

29 5.9
A very strong argument or plan that has no weak points
  • adjective
  • /ˈɛərtaɪt/
: irrefutable
  • The lawyer presented an airtight case that convinced the jury of his client's innocence.

Because by rights, it should be the most airtight institution known to man.

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Examples

  • Nelson said it was an airtight case.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • It's an airtight case.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • I would have had an airtight case.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Because by rights, it should be the most airtight institution known to man.

  • You know that my case is airtight.

  • The logic of this seemed airtight.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Lange presented an airtight case in favor of the idea.

    Academic text (2001)
  • He'd prepared an airtight case, and even gone over it with Ross several times.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The alleged perpetrator's got an airtight alibi.

  • His alibi's airtight.

Synonyms

impeccable
vsairtight
66 6.3

Perfect and without any faults in quality or manners

focuses specifically on being impossible to challenge or criticize
foolproof
vsairtight
34 3.9

Very simple and reliable so people cannot use it wrongly

is about being beyond criticism in reasoning rather than design simplicity
rock solid
vsairtight
  • Informal
31 3.6

Very strong and not likely to fail or be wrong

refers to being logically flawless rather than physically or practically sturdy
infallible
vsairtight
26 7.2

Not able to make mistakes

applies to arguments as flawless rather than to continuous personal correctness
impregnable
vsairtight
10 7.9

Too strong and well protected for anyone to capture or defeat

concerns unbeatable logical support rather than physical or military security
unimpeachable
vsairtight
  • Formal
7 8.2

Very honest and reliable so people cannot doubt it

applies to arguments and explanations rather than moral character or trustworthiness
bulletproof
vsairtight
5 5.8

Hard to prove wrong

covers flawless reasoning but not only proof against technical attacks
unshakable
vsairtight
  • US
2 4.8

Very strong belief or feeling that cannot be changed

is about being logically unchallengeable rather than merely emotionally steady
watertight
vsairtight
1 5.1

So strong and complete that people cannot prove it wrong

is the same idea but emphasizes general faultlessness and secure reasoning
unattackable
vsairtight
1 8.6

Others cannot attack or harm it

is specifically about being impossible to fault or challenge in argumentation
weathertight
vsairtight
5.3

So complete and strong that no one can find a flaw

is focused on flawless explanations and arguments rather than general security

Antonyms

590 4.0

At risk of being harmed, attacked or influenced

187 3.7

Not perfect because of a mistake or problem

Compounds

1 3.2

A bag that keeps air from entering or leaving to protect what is inside

A set of reasons that cannot be shown wrong

How Convincing

irrefutable
21 7.8
airtight
29 5.9
strong
∞ 1.0
convincing
193 3.4
plausible
137 7.2
flawed
187 3.7

Surface Forms

airtight positive

Morphology

airtight = air + tight (semi-transparent) = air + tight

The meaning is a figurative extension from being literally sealed against air to being 'sealed' against criticism or attack, so the relation is clear but metaphorical.

Etymology

Airtight comes from putting together air ('air') and tight ('closed'). Think of an argument as a jar sealed so nothing can get in or out—an airtight argument has no gaps and cannot be easily challenged.