as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
the lack of warm clothing left the hikers defenseless against the unexpected cold snap
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Recent Examples of defenseless
Vegas' Mitch Marner skated into the high slot and his shot ricocheted off two Dallas players and landed near Smith, who scored from close range past a defenseless Casey DeSmith.
—
CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
The show is also virtually devoid of romantic escapades, a good thing since Dumas’ novel is filled with a lot of sentimental claptrap about fighting for defenseless women’s honor or seducing virtuous maidens or going to war due to the physical beauty of a monarch.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Rules that protect defenseless players should be followed and enforced to the letter of the law.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Look to the devastation of defenseless cities in Gaza, Lebanon, or much of Syria.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
The settling of debts between the older narrator—with all her riches of knowledge, irony, independence, experience, and distinction—and her defenseless younger self has the feel of a private project.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
The settling of debts between the older narrator—with all her riches of knowledge, irony, independence, experience, and distinction—and her defenseless younger self has the feel of a private project.
—Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Armed With Up to 11 Claws Small doesn’t mean defenseless.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
The association's midseason celebration had, in recent years, morphed into a high-scoring, defenseless dunk fest that had grown tiresome, even for the most dedicated basketball fans.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
The show is also virtually devoid of romantic escapades, a good thing since Dumas’ novel is filled with a lot of sentimental claptrap about fighting for defenseless women’s honor or seducing virtuous maidens or going to war due to the physical beauty of a monarch.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Rules that protect defenseless players should be followed and enforced to the letter of the law.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Look to the devastation of defenseless cities in Gaza, Lebanon, or much of Syria.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
The settling of debts between the older narrator—with all her riches of knowledge, irony, independence, experience, and distinction—and her defenseless younger self has the feel of a private project.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
The settling of debts between the older narrator—with all her riches of knowledge, irony, independence, experience, and distinction—and her defenseless younger self has the feel of a private project.
—Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Armed With Up to 11 Claws Small doesn’t mean defenseless.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
The association's midseason celebration had, in recent years, morphed into a high-scoring, defenseless dunk fest that had grown tiresome, even for the most dedicated basketball fans.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
Adjective
-
The Administration’s treatment of immigration officers as a vulnerable group rests on claims that agents now face unprecedented threats.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Small caps, which tend to be more exposed to economic cycles and financing conditions, are particularly vulnerable in an environment of higher energy prices and tightening liquidity.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Weaponized incompetence, or the practice of being so helpless that the labor simply falls on someone else, has long been a feature of domestic life.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
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But Lumet and screenwriter Frank Pierson ease up on the laughs as Sonny’s predicament grows more helpless, allowing the audience to feel his desperation as the drama barrels toward a tragic finale.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Writers said the article emphasized findings that were subjective and susceptible to bias.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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Long-term drought conditions mean that vegetation is especially susceptible to fire.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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If the Heat hadn’t worded the trade that way, then Miami would be at greater risk of the first-round pick conveyed to Charlotte being unprotected.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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The depth of the frontcourt behind Cardoso and Reese could make the forward the most logical addition to the unprotected list.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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