unprotected

adjective

un·​pro·​tect·​ed ˌən-prə-ˈtek-təd 

1

: lacking protection or defense

unprotected troops

skin unprotected from the sun's rays

2

: performed without the use of birth control to prevent pregnancy

also : performed without the use of a condom to prevent spread of sexually transmitted infection

unprotected sex

Synonyms of unprotected

• vulnerable
• susceptible
• helpless

Examples of unprotected in a Sentence

They're planning to build roads over thousands of acres of unprotected land.

If your computer is unprotected, you're likely to get a virus.

Recent Examples on the Web

Up to 80 percent of visible facial aging is attributable to cumulative unprotected UV exposure, per a 2013 study in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, which makes daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher the single highest-impact product in any routine. —Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026

Note the keyword is word unprotected. —Allison Palmer june 12, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026

Starting Wednesday, unsigned and unprotected players on expiring contracts become eligible to negotiate with all 12 teams. —John Shipley, Twin Cities, 8 June 2026

One unprotected nurse can start a new chain of transmission. —Tom Frieden, STAT, 6 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unprotected

• disaffected
• disconnected
• disinfected
• interjected
• intersected
• misdirected
• preselected
• recollected
• reconnected
• redirected
• reelected
• resurrected

Kids Definition

unprotected

adjective

un·​pro·​tect·​ed ˌən-prə-ˈtek-təd 

1

: lacking protection or defense

unprotected troops

skin unprotected from the sun's rays

2

: performed without the use of birth control to prevent pregnancy

also : performed without the use of a condom to prevent the spread of a sexually transmitted disease

unprotected sex

Medical Definition

unprotected

adjective

un·​pro·​tect·​ed -prə-ˈtek-təd 

: not protected

especially : performed without measures to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease

unprotected sexual intercourse