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
The play was widely denounced after Greig bloodied a defenseless Walker with an uppercut to the face while Walker was held in a headlock by another Senators player.
—
James Mirtle, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Javier Cabello, founder of the Chiloé Silvestre NGO, has warned that the species’ small size leaves it especially defenseless in these situations — particularly in areas where roads cut through forest habitat.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
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
James Mirtle, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Javier Cabello, founder of the Chiloé Silvestre NGO, has warned that the species’ small size leaves it especially defenseless in these situations — particularly in areas where roads cut through forest habitat.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
Adjective
-
The Giants must capitalize with early wins against vulnerable opponents this fall to set a promising course in John Harbaugh’s first season as head coach.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
In addition to these external influences, Dini emphasized that long-term domestic instability has left Somalia’s coastline vulnerable, weakening local institutions and lowering the risks for pirate networks.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
By contrast, the publication of his translation of Kafka in Italian in the spring of 1983 left him feeling empty, helpless, defenseless.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
-
All the sweeping expansiveness snaps shut with a sudden health crisis for Kristen, its onset signaled with masterful concision in a middle-of-the-night calamity that leaves her helpless.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Fruit trees such as peaches, nectarines, and apricots are particularly susceptible to early frost damage.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 May 2026
-
The plaintiff, Brian Keim, alleged that Trader Joe's made some customers susceptible to identity theft because some stores printed transaction receipts that included the first six and last four digits of customers' credit or debit card numbers, according to filings.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
So next season very much becomes like 2024-25, when a failure to make the playoffs could mean an unprotected first-round pick going out the following year (which would have been this year’s draft due to a previous obligation to the Thunder).—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
12 May 2026
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If the 2026 first-rounder didn’t convey, then the Clippers would get Indiana’s unprotected 2031 pick, which is the same year franchise star Kawhi Leonard turns 40 years old.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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