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
After his holstered gun was discovered under his coat and removed while he was being manhandled, he was executed on the spot by one of the officers despite lying unarmed and defenseless on the ground.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
The Kremlin has claimed many Oreshniks are in production and that some might be stationed in Belarus, a likely bid to raise fears its missiles could leave European cities defenseless against attack.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
My ego—what was left of it— was utterly defenseless.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 9 Jan. 2026
Your answer about the defenseless player rule was appreciated.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
An alarming incident at the end of 2025 exposed how utterly defenseless Irish airspace and its main international airport are to potential drone attacks.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Teammate Andru Phillips was also hit with a $7,292 fine for a hit on a defenseless player.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee describing that second strike as an attack on defenseless survivors, an act that if true would violate international law.
—ABC News, 7 Dec. 2025
Although the killing of two defenseless men left floating in the water during the September strike has created a sensation in the days since the Post’s scoop, the entire military campaign itself is an outrage.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
The Kremlin has claimed many Oreshniks are in production and that some might be stationed in Belarus, a likely bid to raise fears its missiles could leave European cities defenseless against attack.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
My ego—what was left of it— was utterly defenseless.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 9 Jan. 2026
Your answer about the defenseless player rule was appreciated.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
An alarming incident at the end of 2025 exposed how utterly defenseless Irish airspace and its main international airport are to potential drone attacks.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Teammate Andru Phillips was also hit with a $7,292 fine for a hit on a defenseless player.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee describing that second strike as an attack on defenseless survivors, an act that if true would violate international law.
—ABC News, 7 Dec. 2025
Although the killing of two defenseless men left floating in the water during the September strike has created a sensation in the days since the Post’s scoop, the entire military campaign itself is an outrage.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
Adjective
-
Tech is vulnerable to a sell-off The AI theme has driven the stock market higher across the past three years.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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To make this mulch, crush broken terracotta pieces into smaller chunky shards and scatter them around snail and slug-vulnerable plants, including lettuces, hostas, or strawberries.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Both Tony and Dick are helpless children of the American Dream — one borne of the system, the other the boss’s literal son, each at the mercy of forces far greater than himself.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
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Footage then showed McCray carrying her, helpless and disoriented, to a laundry room on Connecticut Street.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Those that live along the border could die, and, in the long run, populations may be more susceptible to disease and climate change.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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Eggplant is also quite susceptible to the cold, so container gardening is a great choice and gives you easy control over temperature.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The picks Memphis is receiving are a 2027 first-rounder (the most favorable between Cleveland, Minnesota and Utah), the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2027 first-rounder (top-four protected) and the Phoenix Suns’ 2031 first-rounder (unprotected), according to the source.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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When the powerless feel unprotected, fear spreads.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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