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
Vegas' Mitch Marner skated into the high slot and his shot ricocheted off two Dallas players and landed near Smith, who scored from close range past a defenseless Casey DeSmith.
—
CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
The show is also virtually devoid of romantic escapades, a good thing since Dumas’ novel is filled with a lot of sentimental claptrap about fighting for defenseless women’s honor or seducing virtuous maidens or going to war due to the physical beauty of a monarch.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Rules that protect defenseless players should be followed and enforced to the letter of the law.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Look to the devastation of defenseless cities in Gaza, Lebanon, or much of Syria.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
The settling of debts between the older narrator—with all her riches of knowledge, irony, independence, experience, and distinction—and her defenseless younger self has the feel of a private project.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
The settling of debts between the older narrator—with all her riches of knowledge, irony, independence, experience, and distinction—and her defenseless younger self has the feel of a private project.
—Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Armed With Up to 11 Claws Small doesn’t mean defenseless.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
The association's midseason celebration had, in recent years, morphed into a high-scoring, defenseless dunk fest that had grown tiresome, even for the most dedicated basketball fans.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
The show is also virtually devoid of romantic escapades, a good thing since Dumas’ novel is filled with a lot of sentimental claptrap about fighting for defenseless women’s honor or seducing virtuous maidens or going to war due to the physical beauty of a monarch.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Rules that protect defenseless players should be followed and enforced to the letter of the law.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Look to the devastation of defenseless cities in Gaza, Lebanon, or much of Syria.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
The settling of debts between the older narrator—with all her riches of knowledge, irony, independence, experience, and distinction—and her defenseless younger self has the feel of a private project.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
The settling of debts between the older narrator—with all her riches of knowledge, irony, independence, experience, and distinction—and her defenseless younger self has the feel of a private project.
—Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Armed With Up to 11 Claws Small doesn’t mean defenseless.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
The association's midseason celebration had, in recent years, morphed into a high-scoring, defenseless dunk fest that had grown tiresome, even for the most dedicated basketball fans.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
Adjective
-
On his goal, Thomas swooped into the middle lane to dust McTavish and receive a slick feed from Broberg that sent him toward a vulnerable Dostál with speed for a rising shot.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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But the memo indicates homelessness spending might not be as vulnerable to cuts as other programs because the city now has roughly $33 million in hotel tax revenue to spend each year on homelessness.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Weaponized incompetence, or the practice of being so helpless that the labor simply falls on someone else, has long been a feature of domestic life.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
But Lumet and screenwriter Frank Pierson ease up on the laughs as Sonny’s predicament grows more helpless, allowing the audience to feel his desperation as the drama barrels toward a tragic finale.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Tomato, pepper, eggplant and tomatillo are all susceptible to the same soil pathogens.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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For example, research shows that adolescent boys are more susceptible to pressure for risk-taking behaviors than girls.—
Amy Morin,
Parents,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That has left people in the area feeling unprotected.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Rescue helicopters rarely fly unprotected while on a mission.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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