Synonyms of vulnerability

vulnerability 1 of 2

noun

1

as in susceptibility

the quality or state of having little resistance to some outside agent

vulnerability to infection

Synonyms & Similar Words

• susceptibility
• weakness
• sensitivity
• exposure
• defenselessness
• helplessness
• powerlessness
• proneness
• openness
• predisposition
• passivity
• feebleness
• frailty
• naïveté
• receptivity
• infirmity
• gullibility
• receptiveness
• passiveness
• easiness
• frailness
• liability
• credulity
• credulousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• invulnerability
• immunity
• impenetrability
• invincibility
• indomitability
• indomitableness

2

as in exposure

the state of being left without shelter or protection against something harmful

the vulnerability of the car to vandalism when it's parked on the street

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exposure
• risk
• openness
• susceptibility
• liability
• predisposition
• helplessness
• danger
• weakness
• defenselessness
• jeopardy
• peril

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protection
• shielding
• safeguarding
• sheltering

vulnerable

2 of 2

adjective

ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl 

1

as in susceptible

being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm

I'm vulnerable to sunburn whenever I go out in the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

• susceptible
• sensitive
• exposed
• prone
• endangered
• liable
• subject (to)
• in jeopardy
• open
• in deep water
• at risk
• unprotected
• likely
• unsecured
• unguarded
• undefended
• uncovered
• unscreened

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• invulnerable
• unexposed
• protected
• sheltered
• covered
• unsusceptible
• secured
• shielded
• guarded
• insusceptible
• screened
• safeguarded
• warded

2

as in helpless

lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack

vulnerable baby chicks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• susceptible
• helpless
• unprotected
• exposed
• defenseless
• undefended
• unguarded
• unsafe
• unarmed
• unresistant
• weak
• passive
• untenable
• in the lurch
• overcome
• indefensible
• feeble
• uncovered
• abandoned
• preyed (on or upon)
• disarmed
• high and dry
• frail
• resistless
• marooned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resistant
• protected
• safe
• secure
• sheltered
• invulnerable
• covered
• armed
• defensible
• fortified
• immune
• strong
• armored
• shielded
• guarded
• screened
• invincible
• impenetrable
• impregnable
• omnipotent
• unassailable
• unconquerable
• unbeatable
• almighty

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of vulnerability

Noun

Rather than relying solely on conventional T cells, future treatments may be able to exploit gamma delta T cells to expose a vulnerability in a cancer that has proved exceptionally difficult to treat. — New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026

Authorities in both countries were investigating the cyber incidents, which exposed vulnerabilities in some older refrigeration management systems and in the countries' highly efficient food supply chains. — John Leicester, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026

Adjective

In their weakened state, hospital patients are particularly vulnerable to infection not only by viruses, but also by microbes such as bacteria and fungi. — New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026

Ironically, those may be the jobs that purely focus on cost cutting are the most vulnerable to automation. — Scott Levenson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026