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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
Adjective
-
Cuts to administrative and support roles impact services for seniors, non-English speakers, and other vulnerable groups, reducing their ability to access care and navigate the health system.—
Steve Brozak,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025 -
An outdated router can slow down your connection, leave your network vulnerable or limit your ability to stream and game reliably.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
But most unforgettable are the fantastic driving sequences and the almost casually riveting performances — with James Taylor making for a perfectly intense (and surprisingly charismatic) lead, an ideal foil for the garrulous, slightly helpless Oates.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
-
The emotional emptiness can feel unbearable, and the practical demands only add to the turmoil, often leaving the surviving spouse feeling lost and helpless.—
David Kudla,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Vulnerability: Dependence on encryption methods makes our personal information susceptible to quantum attacks.—
Jackie Shoback,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Justin Strnad played a ton last year and mostly held up well, but relying on him and Cody Barton for a big chunk of last year after Singleton tore his ACL is part of what made the Broncos more susceptible in the middle of the field as the season went along.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Hawks ended up trading the No. 13 pick to the New Orleans Pelicans for the No. 23 pick and what could be a very valuable unprotected 2026 first-round pick.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2025
-
The real head-scratcher came Wednesday night when New Orleans traded up from No. 23 to No. 13 with the Atlanta Hawks to take Maryland big man Derik Queen — and gave up a 2026 unprotected first-round pick in the process.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
26 June 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share