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 disease

unprotected sex

Synonyms

• defenseless
• exposed
• helpless
• susceptible
• undefended
• unguarded
• unresistant
• vulnerable

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

Voice work, as noted by the original English voice for Bayonetta, remains a largely unprotected field. —Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 26 July 2024

One possible scenario is that more Ukrainian troops could be sent into Kursk to reinforce the operation, although this would deprive crucial frontline positions and leave them weakened and unprotected. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2024

Flashback: In 2008's expansion draft, each WNBA team could protect up to six players, allowing the Dream to select one unprotected player from each team. —Megan Rose Dickey, Axios, 30 July 2024

The garden is just a few blocks away from the street with the unprotected bike lane. —Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 18 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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