as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
the home team scored when the visitors' goalie momentarily left the goal unprotected
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unprotected
Up to 80 percent of visible facial aging is attributable to cumulative unprotected UV exposure, per a 2013 study in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, which makes daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher the single highest-impact product in any routine.
—
Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
Starting Wednesday, unsigned and unprotected players on expiring contracts become eligible to negotiate with all 12 teams.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 8 June 2026
One unprotected nurse can start a new chain of transmission.
—Tom Frieden, STAT, 6 June 2026
Osborne was left unprotected by the New York Sirens, which saved its top three forwards (Sarah Fillier, Kristýna Kaltounková and Casey O’Brien).
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unprotected
Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
Starting Wednesday, unsigned and unprotected players on expiring contracts become eligible to negotiate with all 12 teams.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 8 June 2026
One unprotected nurse can start a new chain of transmission.
—Tom Frieden, STAT, 6 June 2026
Osborne was left unprotected by the New York Sirens, which saved its top three forwards (Sarah Fillier, Kristýna Kaltounková and Casey O’Brien).
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unprotected
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unprotected
Adjective
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McGarry, while supportive of the county's initial steps, remains skeptical that the ordinance goes far enough to protect the most vulnerable residents.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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So, to see an Asian woman being vulnerable and trying to put herself out there, even though she's been hurt and has trust issues.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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Another potential area of concern is that, because copper levels in the body are tightly regulated, excessive supplementation could theoretically contribute to toxicity or interfere with other minerals in susceptible individuals.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
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While familiar favorites such as peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, and nectarines fall into the stone fruit category, some are more susceptible to pests and diseases than others.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Over the course of a 60-yard run, Maradona danced past opponents, escaped challenges and left English defenders helpless before beating the goalkeeper with a clinical finish.—
Cesar R. Torres,
The Conversation,
17 June 2026
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Arturo has grown used to driving by traffic stops, then circling back to move his friends’ and neighbors’ abandoned cars to their helpless families left behind.—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unprotected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unprotected. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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