vulnerable

adjective vul·ner·a·ble \ ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl , ˈvəl-nər-bəl \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of vulnerable

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

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vulnerability

play \ˌvəl-n(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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vulnerableness

play \ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl-nəs, ˈvəl-nər-bəl-\ noun

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vulnerably

play \ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-blē, ˈvəl-nər-blē\ adverb

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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 of vulnerable from the Web

Connecticut's Community Action Agencies are the only nonprofit agencies administering this critical home heating assistance program to Connecticut's most vulnerable residents.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windsor Locks Edition," 10 Apr. 2018
Children are the most vulnerable victims of this crisis.

— monique judge, The Root, "#Flint: Michigan Cuts Off Bottled-Water Distribution, Claiming Water Quality Is Restored," 9 Apr. 2018
Foster kids are some of the most vulnerable children next to homeless children.

— isabella vaccaro, miamiherald, "Heart gallery aims to ‘find forever families’ for children hoping to be adopted | Miami Herald," 5 Apr. 2018
Yet that practice, once considered the best way to protect a hospital's most vulnerable patients, is now being challenged.

— marla broadfoot, Science | AAAS, "Too many antibiotics can give preemies a lifetime of ill health," 5 Apr. 2018
At the same time, three of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats represent states that would be among the most affected by soybean tariffs -- Missouri, Indiana and North Dakota.

— Bloomberg.com, "Republicans Warn Trump a Trade War Risks Party’s Chances in November," 5 Apr. 2018
The retreat is especially severe in West Antarctica, widely acknowledged as the most vulnerable part of the continent and the region whose glaciers are losing the most ice.

— chelsea harvey, Scientific American, "Antarctic Glaciers Lost Stunning Amount of Ground in Recent Years," 4 Apr. 2018
Rokita, Braun and Messer are vying for the GOP nomination to take on Sen. Joe Donnelly, one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats facing re-election this year.

— maureen groppe, Indianapolis Star, "Todd Rokita's ad against Luke Messer indirectly attacks Mitch Daniels' record on taxes," 3 Apr. 2018
Her commitment to her country’s most vulnerable people began early and continued throughout her life.

— britni danielle, Essence.com, "Winnie Mandela Dies At 81," 2 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vulnerable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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."

Origin and Etymology of vulnerable

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1616

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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