vulnerable

adjective

vul·​ner·​a·​ble ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce vulnerable (audio)
ˈvəl-nər-bəl
1
: capable of being physically or emotionally wounded
2
: open to attack or damage : assailable
vulnerable to criticism
3
: liable to increased penalties but entitled to increased bonuses after winning a game in contract bridge
vulnerability noun
vulnerableness
ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce vulnerable (audio)
ˈvəl-nər-bəl-
noun
vulnerably
ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-blē How to pronounce vulnerable (audio)
ˈvəl-nər-blē
adverb

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The History of Vulnerable

Vulnerable is ultimately derived from the Latin noun vulnus ("wound"). Vulnus led to the Latin verb vulnerare, meaning "to wound," and then to the Late Latin adjective vulnerabilis, which became vulnerable in English in the early 1600s. Vulnerable originally meant "capable of being physically wounded" or "having the power to wound" (the latter is now obsolete), but since the late 1600s, it has also been used figuratively to suggest a defenselessness against non-physical attacks. In other words, someone (or something) can be vulnerable to criticism or failure as well as to literal wounding. When it is used figuratively, vulnerable is often followed by the preposition to.

Examples of vulnerable in a Sentence

He was very vulnerable after his divorce. The troops were in a vulnerable position. The fort was undefended and vulnerable.
Recent Examples on the Web Any device that can be accessed remotely and transfers information through the internet is vulnerable to a hacker, said Tracy Mitrano, visiting professor of information science at Cornell University. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 The differences between the two apps highlight a comparatively permissive legal environment for social media in the U.S., protecting free expression but also leaving some users -- especially young ones -- vulnerable to addictive behavior, the experts said. Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vulnerable 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vulnerable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin vulnerabilis, from Latin vulnerare to wound, from vulner-, vulnus wound; probably akin to Latin vellere to pluck, Greek oulē wound

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vulnerable was circa 1616

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Dictionary Entries Near vulnerable

Cite this Entry

“Vulnerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vulnerable. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vulnerable

adjective
vul·​ner·​a·​ble ˈvəln-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce vulnerable (audio)
ˈvəl-nər-bəl
1
: capable of being physically or emotionally wounded
2
: open to attack or damage
a vulnerable position
vulnerability noun

Medical Definition

vulnerable

adjective
vul·​ner·​a·​ble ˈvəln-(ə-)rə-bəl, ˈvəl-nər-bəl How to pronounce vulnerable (audio)
: capable of being hurt : susceptible to injury or disease
the liver is itself vulnerable to nutritional impairmentJournal of the American Medical Association
vulnerability noun
plural vulnerabilities

More from Merriam-Webster on vulnerable

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