Standard Lemma guide

defeasible

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: [dɪˈfiːzɪbəɫ]

1

adj

Meaning 1

Capable of being defeated, terminated, annulled, voided or invalidated.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: human-sciences, law, logic, mathematics, philosophy, sciences

Examples

  • The accounting charge for the non-callable debt is defeasible by an escrow.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective

Meaning 2

capable of being annulled or voided or terminated

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a claim to an estate may be defeasible so long as the claimant is under 21 and unmarried

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: indefeasible

History

Etymology

Back-formation from defeasance + -ible, from Anglo-Norman defesaunce, Old French desfaisance, a deverbal noun from desfaire (“to undo”) (Modern French défaire), from des- (“un-, apart”) + fere, faire (“to do”) + -able, reflecting Latin dis- + facere + -ābilis. Near-doublet of defeatable.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: breekbaar — capable of being defeated, invalidated, ...
  • Dutch: annulleerbaar — capable of being defeated, invalidated, ...
  • Dutch: overwinnelijk — capable of being defeated, invalidated, ...
  • German: annullierbar — capable of being defeated, invalidated, ...
  • Hungarian: érvényteleníthető — capable of being defeated, invalidated, ...
  • Romanian: revocabil — capable of being defeated, invalidated, ...
  • Romanian: anulabil — capable of being defeated, invalidated, ...
  • Romanian: nedefinitiv — capable of being defeated, invalidated, ...
  • Spanish: anulable — capable of being defeated, invalidated, ...