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.
But the program which pays for more than four of every 10 U.S. births is vulnerable to deep budget cuts — part of the cost of renewing Trump’s tax breaks that favor the wealthy. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025 Even worse, cucurbit plants are vulnerable to many of the same disease problems, and can attract more pests to your watermelon plants. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025 His callers represent a wide variety of people –– men, women, conservative Christians, truck drivers, veterans, police officers and farmers –– many of whom often heavily feel the stigma of struggling with mental health, being vulnerable and asking for help. Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 17 May 2025 These patients are also especially vulnerable to abuse. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 16 May 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 21 May. 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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