variants
or British defenceless
: not able to defend yourself, your country, etc.
Without weapons of any kind, the people of the town were completely defenseless.
Don't hurt them. They're just poor, defenseless [=helpless] animals.
—often + againstThe disease leaves the body defenseless against infection.
Cite this Entry
“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/defenseless. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.
Copy Citation
