1
as in susceptible
being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm
I'm vulnerable to sunburn whenever I go out in the sun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in helpless
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
vulnerable baby chicks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 vulnerable
Defensively, the Nuggets have been limited to drop coverage and zone when Valanciunas is on the floor, leaving them more vulnerable to lineups that stretch the floor at all five positions.
—
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector has yet to fully recover and remains vulnerable to new shortages.
—Comfort Ero, Time, 3 Apr. 2026
Employers added 178,000 jobs in March, notching a robust gain for a vulnerable labor market that faces challenges ahead as energy prices soar due to the conflict in Iran.
—Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2026
While intimate scenes can clearly be vulnerable, the work of an intimacy coordinator is not a substitute for a mental health coordinator or psychologist.
—Emily Maskell, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vulnerable
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector has yet to fully recover and remains vulnerable to new shortages.
—Comfort Ero, Time, 3 Apr. 2026
Employers added 178,000 jobs in March, notching a robust gain for a vulnerable labor market that faces challenges ahead as energy prices soar due to the conflict in Iran.
—Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2026
While intimate scenes can clearly be vulnerable, the work of an intimacy coordinator is not a substitute for a mental health coordinator or psychologist.
—Emily Maskell, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vulnerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulnerable
Adjective
-
Writers said the article emphasized findings that were subjective and susceptible to bias.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Long-term drought conditions mean that vegetation is especially susceptible to fire.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
28 Mar. 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
-
This wasn’t surprising, given that intelligence agencies compartmentalize information about sensitive operations.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
It is well understood in the region that could mean things like broad targeting of sensitive and highly vulnerable energy installations, something Iran has already threatened, essential for the regional and global economies, as well as hard to quickly repair and rebuild.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If the Heat hadn’t worded the trade that way, then Miami would be at greater risk of the first-round pick conveyed to Charlotte being unprotected.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The depth of the frontcourt behind Cardoso and Reese could make the forward the most logical addition to the unprotected list.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Plus, by leaving the foot more exposed, sandals help elongate the leg, which is particularly useful when wearing capri-length pants.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The objective is to reduce exposed equity within the entity in a lawful and structured manner.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When heavy rain occurs, there is a risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone regions.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The Blackbird Mountain guides led the group through an avalanche-prone area for unknown reasons, despite two alternative routes, per the San Francisco Chronicle.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vulnerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulnerable. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
