Basic Details
Word: Tenable
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Able to be maintained, defended, or justified against attack or objection.
Synonyms: Defensible, justifiable, supportable
Antonyms: Indefensible, unjustifiable, untenable
Idioms and Phrases
- Tenable position: A stance or argument that can be logically or reasonably defended. Example: "His theory is no longer a tenable position in modern science."
- Make something tenable: To provide justification or support for something. Example: "The new evidence makes her claim more tenable."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The scientist's hypothesis was no longer tenable after the latest experiment results.
Example 2: His argument was well-structured and therefore tenable under scrutiny.
Example 3: Without proper data, the policy proposal is not tenable.
Fun Fact
Did you know that "tenable" comes from the Latin word "tenere," meaning "to hold"? It originally referred to something that could be held or occupied, like a fortress or position.
Famous Quote
"No opinion is tenable unless it can be freely and openly discussed." Thomas Huxley
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "tenable" mean?
a) Easy to remember
b) Able to be defended or justified
c) Unchangeable
d) Filled with tension
Answer: b) Able to be defended or justified
2. Which of these is a synonym of "tenable"?
a) Indefensible
b) Unreliable
c) Justifiable
d) Insecure
Answer: c) Justifiable
3. Which is an antonym of "tenable"?
a) Rational
b) Defensible
c) Untenable
d) Logical
Answer: c) Untenable
4. Which sentence uses "tenable" correctly?
a) The job was tenable for only one year.
b) His point was tenable and backed by strong evidence.
c) She tenable the idea without knowing much.
d) The tenable walked through the door.
Answer: b) His point was tenable and backed by strong evidence.
5. What does the idiom "tenable position" mean?
a) A job available for 10 hours
b) A seat with a good view
c) An argument that can be defended
d) A place that is noisy
Answer: c) An argument that can be defended
