VULNERABLE Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

vulnerable

adjective

ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl

Definition of vulnerable

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

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 California Teachers Association President David Goldberg said California’s reliance on income taxes to fund public education makes school funding vulnerable to large swings from year to year. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026 With antisemitism and hate crimes rising, Hochul said the cash will go to 290 nonprofit community groups that may be vulnerable to physical or cyber attacks based on their faith or beliefs. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026 Officials urged people to drink plenty of water and to take water to those who are vulnerable. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 Taking credit risk has paid off over the past decade, but lower-quality bonds also tend to be more vulnerable during weak economic environments when stocks are also struggling. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vulnerable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulnerable

Adjective

Without Micah Parsons, the Packers’ defensive front looks susceptible.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Women who went into early menopause, smoked, have low body weight or have taken (or are currently taking) a GLP-1 are more susceptible to bone loss.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

Y’know, the two living, breathing, helpless children forced to sit idle while their mother and (almost) step-father constantly and brazenly risk abandoning them.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
Muslims who are peace-loving and helpless also need a hand up.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

Tehran has no intention of backing down in the face of an American naval blockade and attacks on its oil tankers, said the official, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, the timing of the September meeting is politically sensitive, arriving just ahead of the US midterms.

— , CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

Agents already in production are simultaneously unprotected at the security layer.

— Neeraj Sabharwal, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
If a community cannot show that its levee meets the minimum design, operations and maintenance requirements outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations, areas behind the levee will be considered unprotected against the 1% annual chance flood.

— Kaleigh Yost, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of unprotected

Adjective

Morgan Stanley said Equinix and Digital Realty are less exposed because their facilities average roughly 5 to 10 megawatts, far below the gigawatt-scale AI campuses planned by hyperscalers and neocloud operators.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
The fact that my life is so exposed is incredibly complex for me.

— Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of exposed

Adjective

Also, Nécessaire the Lip Balm is made with soothing skin care ingredients such as niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter; it’s approved for eczema-prone skin and even has a touch of (natural) mint to keep you feeling fresh.

— Lindy Segal, Glamour, 8 Sep. 2026
Authorities estimate that nearly 600,000 people were evacuated from high-risk, flood-prone areas in Fujian, while a further 128,000 people in 53 counties were also affected across Jiangxi, Guardian reported.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026