DEFENSELESS Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

defenseless

adjective

Definition of defenseless

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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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.

Recent Examples of defenseless Legal battles can discourage farmers Mora said the years-long litigation has left him feeling frustrated and defenseless. — Claire Rush, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 Scheffler, thanks to a birdie barrage on a soft, defenseless golf course, needed two more at the 17th and 18th to equal Furyk’s 12-under 58. — Nick Pietruszkiewicz, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2026 White warmly greeted the controversial Tate brothers, Andrew and Tristan, at an event in Las Vegas for Power Slap—another combat-sports offering, founded by White in 2022, involving one person striking their defenseless opponent with all their might. — Sean Gregory, Time, 26 May 2026 This was not a case of a fighter taking free shots while defenseless. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 If one bomb hit just right, all military communications could go down, leaving the entire country essentially defenseless. — Laura Isensee, Scientific American, 18 May 2026 By contrast, the publication of his translation of Kafka in Italian in the spring of 1983 left him feeling empty, helpless, defenseless. — Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 The play was widely denounced after Greig bloodied a defenseless Walker with an uppercut to the face while Walker was held in a headlock by another Senators player. — James Mirtle, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 Javier Cabello, founder of the Chiloé Silvestre NGO, has warned that the species’ small size leaves it especially defenseless in these situations — particularly in areas where roads cut through forest habitat. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless

Adjective

His opposition to the measure in California could still leave him vulnerable to criticism from progressives in a national Democratic primary.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
However, that is changing as the US Department of Defense seeks more robust, less vulnerable power systems for military satellites that are less hazardous than the older spacecraft powered by uranium and plutonium.

— David Szondy July 07, New Atlas, 8 July 2026

Definition of vulnerable

Adjective

Bernstein plays with that distance like a telephone cord wrapped around her fingers, and Eleni — played by the excellent newcomer Cemre Paksoy, powerfully helpless — only frays even more as the receiver is brought near the hook.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
The leading interpretation is that Smilodon delivered a single precise bite to the throat or belly, severing something vital in a target that was already helpless.

— Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

Creamer of the Fresh Fruit Association said the state food and agriculture department’s lagging pest and disease prevention funding makes the state more susceptible to the kinds of incidents that happened recently.

— Lizzie Kane July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Infections, other immune-system stressors and, more rarely, brain injuries may also contribute in genetically susceptible individuals.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

Last month, the Clippers agreed in principle to trade Leonard to the Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 July 2026
The Clippers and Raptors agreed to a trade on June 30 that would send Leonard to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap and two second-round picks.

— Janis Carr, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

Definition of unprotected

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defense

defenseless

defenselessness

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“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of defenseless

adjective

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