defenseless

adjective

Definition of defenselessnext
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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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of defenseless Fitzpatrick appeared to lead with his helmet and was flagged for a hit on a defenseless receiver. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 This year, many are defenseless against the rice-sized insect’s relentless assault. — Jennifer Oldham, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026 That's why starting this season, a one-game suspension will be given to any player who accumulates penalties from three specific moves — hip drop tackle, horse collar tackle, launching, hit on a defenseless player, and a blindside block. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026 He is being investigated over allegations of abuse of a defenseless or impaired person resulting in death, an offense carrying a potential sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison or life. — Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 Everyone on all sides feels deeply for little Cora, Dawson, and Callan – three defenseless children who stood no chance. — Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2026 Of course, later on, Georgia and I will laugh about Kevin, along with every other defenseless man in the universe. — Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026 In the face of new attack vectors, cargo ships are completely defenseless. — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Worse, during removal, structures requiring dampers are essentially as defenseless against even normal winds as a car without brakes. — New Atlas, 24 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
  1. vulnerable
  2. helpless
  3. susceptible
  4. unprotected
Adjective
  • The network of large bases that Washington built after the 1991 Gulf War is now vulnerable to Iranian drones and ballistic missiles, offering Tehran targets and leverage rather than deterring it from taking military action.
    — Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Inflation risks mount India is among the countries most vulnerable to the supply disruptions caused by the Iran war.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of vulnerable
Adjective
  • The moment when the couple’s infant child is taken from them by the authorities is devastating, each of them capturing a sense of helpless isolation from themselves, their community and each other.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But the funding cuts mean more and more families like Zarmina's are left helpless.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of helpless
Adjective
  • Although generally hardy, the plant is susceptible to certain diseases, including anthracnose and bacterial soft rot, as well as pests such as spider mites, caterpillars, and whiteflies.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But neither the agency nor industry players have banned bets that could be susceptible to manipulation or raised the minimum age to bet on prediction markets to 21, the source said, up from the current minimum of 18.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • However, the fibers cannot simply be dropped into the ocean unprotected.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • However, during the same season, more than a third of the state’s children went unprotected, and many older Marylanders eligible for the RSV vaccine never received it.
    — Adejare Atanda, Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of unprotected

Browse Nearby Words

defense
defenseless
defenselessness
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Cite this Entry

“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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