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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defenseless
Polec was reportedly assaulted with baseball bats and other weapons while lying defenseless on the steps of Saint Cecilia's Church, according to officials.
—
Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Tua Tagovailoa’s revival will be short-lived against Baltimore’s no-longer-defenseless defense.
—Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
The Chargers have been defenseless in their past three games, losing two of three.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
Their law firm is changing the game for traditional debt settlement services in an industry known for empty promises and leaving people defenseless during debt lawsuits.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
The challenge is finding treatments that calm unhealthy levels of inflammation without leaving the body defenseless against infections.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Otherwise, the lives of thousands of defenseless animals will continue to suffer and die.
—Michael Wagner, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Arkansas gained 333 yards and gave up 301 yards in a defenseless first half.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
To deny it is to leave Americans defenseless against it.
—Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025
Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Tua Tagovailoa’s revival will be short-lived against Baltimore’s no-longer-defenseless defense.
—Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
The Chargers have been defenseless in their past three games, losing two of three.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
Their law firm is changing the game for traditional debt settlement services in an industry known for empty promises and leaving people defenseless during debt lawsuits.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
The challenge is finding treatments that calm unhealthy levels of inflammation without leaving the body defenseless against infections.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Otherwise, the lives of thousands of defenseless animals will continue to suffer and die.
—Michael Wagner, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Arkansas gained 333 yards and gave up 301 yards in a defenseless first half.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
To deny it is to leave Americans defenseless against it.
—Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
Adjective
-
His full project showcases his vivid, vulnerable songwriting, cementing Slone as one of country music’s most compelling new voices.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
3 Nov. 2025
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Mackinac Bridge officials recorded the highest wind gust Monday morning, 49 mph, prompting an advisory and escorts across the span for vulnerable vehicles like motorcycles, pickup trucks with campers and other high-profile vehicles.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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These brawls further eroded democratic norms, while driving voters away from left-wing and moderate parties who seemed helpless to halt them.—
Time,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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She was resigned to her fate, helpless with indignation.—
Jack O'Connor,
Outdoor Life,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The deterioration in the labor market has been concentrated in payroll employment, which is the [datapoint] that is the most susceptible to demographic and immigration changes.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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However, Arizona's hot and dry desert climate made Gilbert susceptible to drought and wildfires, causing the low ranking in natural disaster risk.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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With the expiration of TPS, these individuals are left completely unprotected and face the possibility of being detained or deported.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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Their stewardship has kept deforestation rates in Indigenous Lands in the Brazilian Amazon up to 83% lower than in unprotected areas globally.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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