defenselessness

noun

as in vulnerability
the quality or state of having little resistance to some outside agent our utter defenselessness against the rising floodwaters quickly became apparent

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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 defenselessness The fragile defenselessness of the proud has proven mesmerizing. — Lo Patrick, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenselessness
vulnerability
Noun
  • It is better understood as a symptom of political exhaustion and vulnerability following years of division, economic hardship, and war.
    — Michael Robbins, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026
  • That’s bad enough, but the agent also launched with a zero-day vulnerability that, luckily, has been patched.
    — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of vulnerability

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defenseless
defenselessness
defenses
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Cite this Entry

“Defenselessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenselessness. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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