supportable
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /səpˈɔːtəbəl/
US
- /səˈpɔrtəbəl/
Meanings
Adjective
able to be justified or backed up with reasons or evidence
able to be maintained, borne, or paid for without excessive strain
Beyond the definition
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.
Examples
- 1
Decision reason
The committee needs a supportable reason for rejecting the proposal.
- 2
Research evidence
His conclusion is supportable only if the survey data are accurate.
- Patternsupportable only if
defensible only under that condition
- 3
Legal status
The court said the officer’s actions were supportable under the law.
- Domainsupportable under the law
legally defensible
- 4
Long-term finance
The company’s debt was manageable for a while, but it was not supportable in the long term.
- Phrasein the long term
over a long period of time
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- supportable claim
- supportable argument
- supportable by evidence
- legally supportable
Word family
- support
- supportability
Explore
- evidential support
- burden of proof
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- supportableadjective