tenable
defensible or able to be maintained
Roots
- -able / -ible: able to be, fit to be, or worthy of
- ten / tain: hold or keep
Other words with the ten / tain root
- abstain: to hold back from doing or taking something
- contain: to hold inside
- content: satisfied; also something held inside
- contented: satisfied or at peace
- detain: to hold back
- discontent: dissatisfaction or unrest
- impertinent: rude or not properly relevant
- malcontent: dissatisfied person, often rebellious or resentful
A tenable argument can be held up under pressure.
The theory was elegant but not tenable after the new evidence arrived.