What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nonviable
Example
The company decided to abandon the nonviable project due to lack of funding. [nonviable: adjective]
Example
The proposed solution was deemed nonviable due to its high cost and low effectiveness. [nonviable: adjective]
untenable
Example
The politician's stance on immigration was proven to be untenable after the release of new data. [untenable: adjective]
Example
The professor's argument was deemed untenable due to its flawed reasoning and lack of evidence. [untenable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Untenable is more commonly used than nonviable in everyday language, especially in social or political contexts. Nonviable is less common and tends to be used in more specialized fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nonviable and untenable?
Both nonviable and untenable are formal words that are typically used in academic, professional, or technical contexts. However, nonviable may be perceived as more neutral and objective, while untenable may be perceived as more subjective and critical.