defenseless

adjective

Definition of defenselessnext
as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack the lack of warm clothing left the hikers defenseless against the unexpected cold snap

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
  1. vulnerable
  2. helpless
  3. susceptible
  4. unprotected
Adjective
  • Johnson wants to change the mindset that only LGBT folks are vulnerable.
    Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024
  • The justification for a tactical tweak has grown stronger with every passing week, partly because of form but considering the positions Villa are vulnerable in also adds weight to the case for change.
    Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
Definition of vulnerable
Adjective
  • Elizabeth Taylor felt helpless learning a close friend's fate along with the world.
    Angela Andaloro, People.com, 19 Oct. 2024
  • Zimbardo spent the rest of his career promoting his theory that humans are helpless against the evil that lies in wait within us to be triggered by circumstance.
    Judy Berman, TIME, 29 Nov. 2024
Definition of helpless
Adjective
  • Kreskin acknowledged to radio personality Art Bell that his prediction was a hoax, a way of proving that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks the year before had made people susceptible to manipulation.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Indeed, teen drivers are especially susceptible to getting into crashes resulting from distracted driving.
    Ed Garsten, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • Temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing, threatening vegetation, crops and unprotected outdoor property.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Most human infections with H5 virus have occurred after unprotected exposure to sick or dead infected animals or their environment, state officials said.
    Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024
Definition of unprotected
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thesaurus Entries Near defenseless

defense

defenseless

defenselessness

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on defenseless

Nglish: Translation of defenseless for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of defenseless for Arabic Speakers

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