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

Superheroes are often depicted in comic books and movies as all-powerful, deflecting boulders and missiles in mid-air with a flick of the wrist, walking through walls, and having indestructible skeletons and whatnot. Fans know, however, that even the mightiest, meatiest protagonist is vulnerable to something, be it kryptonite or forgetting the whereabouts of one’s hammer. Vulnerable ultimately comes from the Latin noun vulnus, meaning “wound,” by way of the Late Latin adjective vulnerabilis, which English speakers adopted as vulnerable in the early 1600s. Vulnerable continues to carry its original meaning of “capable of being physically wounded,” 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—even superheroes. So don’t go breaking their hearts, even if you can’t break their bones.

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
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.
These offenders swarm these vulnerable victims, usually Asian, older females. Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 4 July 2025 Along the way, Manuel opened a small nonprofit to supply basic needs for Native foster kids that grew into a statewide cultural support service for the most vulnerable youth. Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 4 July 2025 An outdated router can slow down your connection, leave your network vulnerable or limit your ability to stream and game reliably. Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 4 July 2025 Cuts to administrative and support roles impact services for seniors, non-English speakers, and other vulnerable groups, reducing their ability to access care and navigate the health system. Steve Brozak, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for vulnerable

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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Cite this Entry

“Vulnerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vulnerable. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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 impairmentThe Journal of the American Medical Association
vulnerability noun
plural vulnerabilities

More from Merriam-Webster on vulnerable

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