defeasible

adjective

de·​fea·​si·​ble di-ˈfē-zə-bəl How to pronounce defeasible (audio)
: capable of being annulled or made void
a defeasible claim
defeasibility
di-ˌfē-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce defeasible (audio)
noun

Word History

Etymology

alteration (conformed to -ible) of earlier defesable, borrowed from Anglo-French, from de- de- + fesable "doable, feasible," after defaire, desfaire "to undo, put an end to, destroy, nullify" — more at defeat entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defeasible was in the 15th century

Rhymes for defeasible

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Browse Nearby Words

defeasance
defeasible
defeat
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Cite this Entry

“Defeasible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defeasible. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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Legal Definition

defeasible

adjective
de·​fea·​si·​ble di-ˈfē-zə-bəl How to pronounce defeasible (audio)
: subject to or capable of being annulled or made void
a defeasible interest
his rights are not defeasible by agreement—J. D. Calamari and J. M. Perillo

More from Merriam-Webster on defeasible

Nglish: Translation of defeasible for Spanish Speakers

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