defensibly
1
6.3
- adverb
- /dɪˈfɛnsəbli/
:
defensiblemente
- She responded defensibly to the accusation, providing evidence for her actions.
Examples
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The police officer acted defensibly when he made the arrest during the chaotic protest.
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The company can defensibly argue that their new policy is fair and beneficial for all employees.
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We are going from the defensibly legal, to the indefensibly illegal.
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"CRS reported that it could not defensibly justify the number."
Academic text (1999) -
I have found that the one and only stance I can morally and defensibly take is that of defender of their constitutional rights.
Blog text (4) -
But what sorts of relations could nationalists defensibly have with non-members?
Academic text (1999) -
That business can defensibly claim the federal government has to protect (and even improve) that business's interstate delivery choices.
Blog text (12) -
But what he says suffices to identify a version of value pluralism that is fundamentally and defensibly liberal.
Academic text (1999) -
Similarly, in the present study, we did not defensibly establish the reliability or validity of the data derived via the revised instrument.
Academic text (1997) -
(Sure, I'm still procrastinating, but it feels more defensibly constructive.)
Blog text (29)
Synonyms
72
2.4
In a sensible way that shows good judgment
62
3.7
In a way that follows the law or accepted rules
17
4.6
For a good reason that can be shown to be right
15
3.7
In a way that shows good judgment and practical choices
11
4.4
In a believable way that makes people think it is true
9
6.3
In a way that seems likely from the facts
2
3.9
In a way that the law accepts or that follows the right rules
In a way that can be forgiven because of the situation
Antonyms
How Defensible
31
2.7
17
4.6
1
6.3
1
6.1
1
6.1
1
7.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
defensibly = defensible (transparent) = defensible + ly
Formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'defensible'; the meaning 'in a manner that can be defended' is directly predictable.
Etymology
The word defensibly comes from defensible, which comes from defend, where defend means 'to protect' or 'keep safe' and defensible means 'able to be defended'. So, to act defensibly is to act in a way you can show is reasonable or can be defended.