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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
Adjective
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They are expected to receive $86 million more in the coming years — potentially leaving more than half of the state's uncapped wells more vulnerable to incidents like the current spill in Garden Island Bay.—
Dan Ruetenik,
CBS News,
5 May 2025 -
Relying too much on one leaves you vulnerable and at their mercy.—
Mark Minevich,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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After playing just one division foe over the first six weeks of the season — a three-game sweep of the utterly helpless Colorado Rockies last month — the Dodgers are finally getting into the meat of their division schedule.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
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And Nuggets backup big DeAndre Jordan looked largely helpless at the rim, as the Clippers’ offense got going behind a flurry of hooks from Zubac and waltzes to the rim from Bogdanovic and Kawhi Leonard.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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What's more, the researchers found that the mice on the WD plan were also more susceptible to Salmonella infections.—
Michael Franco
May 11,
New Atlas,
11 May 2025
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This depends on the material, but faux leather is usually less susceptible to damage from steam.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Unintended access permissions or unprotected endpoints.—
Alexander Britkin,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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But there’s nothing to stop Miami from going to Charlotte and offering a 2032 unprotected first-rounder, plus cash, a second-rounder, a player (Jaime Jaquez Jr.?) and even a pick swap in exchange for giving Miami back its 2027 first-rounder.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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