1
as in susceptibility
the quality or state of having little resistance to some outside agent
vulnerability to infection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exposure
the state of being left without shelter or protection against something harmful
the vulnerability of the car to vandalism when it's parked on the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 vulnerability
Billboard Japan, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Also, a lot is said about their all-too-easy-to-exploit vulnerabilities.
—Susan Coll
september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
Grace Byron, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
The first 1,000 days of a child's life — a term popularized in the early 2010s to describe the importance of pregnancy and the first two years of life — are some of the most vulnerable periods for growth and development.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vulnerability
Noun
Aimer’s vocals resonate with the story of the Infinity Castle movie, filling the song with strength, determination, and vulnerability.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Also, a lot is said about their all-too-easy-to-exploit vulnerabilities.
—Susan Coll
september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Downtown painters in New York City such as Willa Wasserman, Michelle Uckotter, and Agnes Walden employ a kind of strategic opacity, refusing the more commercial route of vulnerable self-portraits.
—Grace Byron, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
The first 1,000 days of a child's life — a term popularized in the early 2010s to describe the importance of pregnancy and the first two years of life — are some of the most vulnerable periods for growth and development.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vulnerability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulnerability
Noun
-
Recall that the big picture in this discussion is whether something outside of a mental health precondition might also be a factor that leads to susceptibility to AI psychosis.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
And this desire for control, for some method to be brought to bear on the sinister uncertainty of life, explains also my susceptibility to oracles like the Yijing.—
Michael Robbins,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Humans could be easily killed by radiation exposure, and the lack of atmospheric pressure on Mars or in orbit would cause a person’s blood to boil if they were exposed.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Rather than going all-in on AI literacy, the question is to calibrate deliberate exposure to mental challenges that build resistance to intellectual dependency.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The largest member of the grass family, bamboo is combustible, susceptible to deterioration and weaker in rain, raising legitimate questions about its durability, Arup’s Ho said.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Those are straightforward power rushes designed to contain mobile quarterbacks rather than spamming exotic pressure looks that could leave the defensive line susceptible to holes.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And wasn’t the world hard enough, without having to care for helpless children too?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
-
In the midst of feeling helpless, Kate said an idea took shape to commemorate the victims.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The addition of shutdown closer Jhoan Duran has turned their bullpen from a weakness into a roster strength.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The milestone marks a symbolic win for the blue-chip index, highlighting the market’s resilience despite tariff concerns and signs of weakness in the economy.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Bella, now three and a half years old, was described by Overbye as calm, sensitive, quiet, smart, and playful.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Prevent this by grounding AI in your documents and adding human review for sensitive content.—
Louis Mosca,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The growing costs to buy and maintain a car –exacerbated by inflation and tariffs –are leading to rising auto loan defaults and repossessions and a potential crisis for American consumers left unprotected by the federal government, according to a new report by a consumer advocacy organization.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
No little boy or girl should feel unsafe or unprotected while changing in school.—
Georgea Kovanis,
Freep.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Meta's approach includes warning screens, sensitivity filters and age restrictions.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
After treatment, mild soreness or sensitivity is common for a few days as the surrounding tissues heal.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vulnerability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulnerability. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share