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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His callers represent a wide variety of people –– men, women, conservative Christians, truck drivers, veterans, police officers and farmers –– many of whom often heavily feel the stigma of struggling with mental health, being vulnerable and asking for help.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
17 May 2025 -
Even worse, cucurbit plants are vulnerable to many of the same disease problems, and can attract more pests to your watermelon plants.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 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 22 May. 2025.
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