vulnerable

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

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

Yet imagine how vulnerable a modern city like Houston or New Orleans would be without our satellite eyes and computerized warning systems.

— david grinspoon, The Atlantic, "Hurricane Harvey Lays Bare Our New Bargain With Nature," 30 Aug. 2017
Contributing to the high losses is the fact that Texas, despite being one of the states most vulnerable to storms, has one of the most relaxed approaches to building codes, inspections, and other protections.

— christopher flavelle, chicagotribune.com, "Harvey could reshape how and where Americans build," 30 Aug. 2017
Here is our list of the top five teams most vulnerable to missing the playoffs in 2018: San Jose Sharks: The Sharks are a quality defensive team.

— kevin allen, USA TODAY, "Five NHL teams in danger of missing playoffs in 2017-18," 30 Aug. 2017
Think about the lives tragically lost and the vulnerable nursing home residents sitting in waist-deep water waiting to be rescued.

— ken berlin, Fortune, "Why Storms Like Harvey Could Become the New Normal," 29 Aug. 2017
Sen. Joe Donnelly is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats up for re-election next year.

— brian slodysko, The Seattle Times, "Indiana senator, outsourcing critic, selling company stock," 29 Aug. 2017
Supported by a solid backing band, Bentley delivered a highly polished, arena-worthy concert that was at once powerful and vulnerable, much like Bentley himself.

— michael james rocha, sandiegouniontribune.com, "From Nashville bar gigs to arena concerts, Dierks Bentley takes bro-country to new heights," 26 Aug. 2017
That population of vulnerable teens has grown in recent years.

— anita chabria, sacbee, "Feds failed to prove undocumented teens sent to jail were gang members, officials say," 26 Aug. 2017
City are still on the lookout for defensive reinforcements after looking vulnerable at the back last season, with John Stones, Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi currently available to Pep Guardiola.

— SI.com, "Jonny Evans Set to Leave West Brom for Manchester City in £30m Move Next Week," 25 Aug. 2017

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

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First Known Use: 1605

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