supportable

Something is supportable when there are good reasons, facts, or evidence behind it. Think of a detective showing evidence for a theory, or a politician defending a policy. It means the idea can stand up to questions or criticism. A weak argument is not supportable; a clear, well-reasoned one is. You might say a claim is "supportable by the data," meaning the data backs it up. Sometimes it also means something can be kept going or endured, like a pace in a long run.

The word supportable describes something that can be defended with good reasons, justified by logic or evidence, or sustained over time. It goes beyond simply being true; it suggests that you can show why it is true, or why it should be accepted.

Think of a historical argument: if a historian says one event caused another, that claim needs to be supportable through primary sources and sound reasoning. Or consider a business plan. It is not enough for an idea to seem good; the numbers need to show that it is supportable in terms of profit and long-term use.

The meaning can also extend to something being capable of being maintained or endured. A runner might describe a pace as "supportable over 26 miles," meaning it can be maintained throughout the marathon. In the same way, a family budget needs to be supportable, meaning income must cover expenses.

Supportable is not mainly about physical strength; it is about having enough backing, logic, resources, or stamina to stand up to doubt or to keep going. It suggests a foundation that can hold something up, whether that something is an idea, a plan, an argument, a budget, or physical effort.