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
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Recent Examples of vulnerable
When distress has no name While many immigrant teenagers are vulnerable to mental health challenges, Chinese and Chinese American teenagers whose parents are immigrants experience higher rates of anxiety and depression than many of their peers.
—
Huaying Wang, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
However, beads do fail, and wheels are vulnerable to damage.
—Jason Fogelson, AJC.com, 29 May 2026
These can present health risks, including a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and hormonal, metabolic and reproductive changes, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women or children.
—Gavin Escott, USA Today, 29 May 2026
For women who have spent decades wearing relaxers, that shift can feel especially vulnerable.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for vulnerable
Huaying Wang, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
However, beads do fail, and wheels are vulnerable to damage.
—Jason Fogelson, AJC.com, 29 May 2026
These can present health risks, including a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and hormonal, metabolic and reproductive changes, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women or children.
—Gavin Escott, USA Today, 29 May 2026
For women who have spent decades wearing relaxers, that shift can feel especially vulnerable.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for vulnerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulnerable
Adjective
-
Peaches are susceptible to several diseases, including peach leaf curl, brown rot, bacterial spot, and peach scab, as well as plum curculio and other pests.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
-
Commercial country music, a format of songwriting that is at least somewhat reliant on wordplay and the constant re-arranging of a familiar set of symbols (trucks, mud, whiskey, and so forth), can be particularly susceptible to the accusations.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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Marine Rousseau, 41, was taken into custody Thursday with Marc Ballabriga, 55, two days after the couple allegedly dumped her helpless 3- and 5-year-old children in a remote forest and left, according to Portuguese and French media.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
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No electricity, ventilators In the ICU, nurse Tammy Fritchey feels helpless.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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Exfoliating sensitive skin, like mine, is a delicate dance.—
Christina Oehler,
InStyle,
31 May 2026
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With that in mind, the experts advise introducing the formula gradually, especially for those with sensitive skin.—
Rosa Jisoo Pyo,
Vogue,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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The stretch between High Camp and Denali Pass has been the site of numerous injuries and fatalities over the years, with many incidents involving unprotected falls, according to reports.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
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Not necessarily, but there’s the additional factor of a Knights win meaning the second-rounder from the Andersson trade becomes an unprotected first.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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The outer layers of the star will eventually cool and disperse, leaving a nebula of ex-stellar material surrounding the sun's core, which will then become an exposed cooling stellar remnant called a white dwarf.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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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
-
Shading plants from the hot afternoon sun can be an option in areas prone to high heat.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
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Those with dry, congestion-prone skin should avoid it, as thick overnight layers can quickly convert from soothing to suffocating.—
Tatiana Dias,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vulnerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulnerable. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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