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
Definitions are provided for the crown of the helmet, a defenseless player and indicators of targeting like a launch, crouch, leading with the helmet or lowering the head before contact are explained.
—
Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 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
But even this nod to forgiveness is relatively punishing, since the health refill freezes your character in a defenseless pose for a few seconds.
—ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
Daniel, defenseless, falls for it completely.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Contributor Aggressive creditors and collectors often push people to the brink and most large debt relief companies end up leaving most consumers defenseless against debt lawsuits.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 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
But even this nod to forgiveness is relatively punishing, since the health refill freezes your character in a defenseless pose for a few seconds.
—ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
Daniel, defenseless, falls for it completely.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Contributor Aggressive creditors and collectors often push people to the brink and most large debt relief companies end up leaving most consumers defenseless against debt lawsuits.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
Adjective
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Patrick Mahomes and the reigning AFC champion Chiefs look more vulnerable than in years past and are just 2-2 entering Monday night’s game against the Jaguars.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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The people who are most vulnerable to the hard-to-breathe air that comes with climate change may inadvertently be adding to the problem, new research finds.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This is obvious enough in the contrast between the aggressive takedown in humor and the helpless surrender in tears.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
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The series also starred Portia de Rossi as the family's layabout daughter, Lindsay; David Cross as her aspiring actor husband, Tobias; Alia Shawkat as their teen daughter, Maeby; Jessica Walter as the family's elitist matriarch, Lucille; and Tony Hale as the dynasty's helpless youngest son, Buster.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Common Pests & Plant Diseases Camellias are susceptible to several fungal diseases, the most serious of which are flower blight, root rot, and camellia dieback and canker.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
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This is the key reason why older adults are more susceptible to cancer and severe illness.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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During his run as head coach at the University of Michigan, Edina native Mel Pearson noted that playing on the Gophers’ big ice caused many young defenders to stray farther and farther away from their own net, leaving the Wolverines’ goalie unprotected at times.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
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Prolonged, unprotected exposure to the high noise levels of a leaf vacuum can cause lasting hearing loss.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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