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 The theatrics played to a large audience who had long argued that former leftist President Gustavo Petros’s policy of pursuing engagement with drug traffickers had left Colombia more vulnerable to organized crime. — Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026 But Connecticut lawyers say these vulnerable people are being turned away from the program because of state judges. — Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026 The latter two are vulnerable and are only propped up by the ridiculous amount of short interest. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026 That’s how determined the Giants are to maximize this window in a vulnerable NFC East. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 31 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vulnerable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulnerable

Adjective

Certain cat breeds are more susceptible to hereditary conditions, while illnesses such as diabetes and kidney disease can require treatment over many years.

— Matt Richardson, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
Declining vaccination rates have left growing numbers of children and adults susceptible to the virus, with multiple states experiencing sustained outbreaks of the disease.

— Dhruti Shah, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

Nvidia is the pitiful, helpless giant, now revealed, according to the bears, to have just propped up an ecosystem for its own earnings, with a CEO now revealed to be a dubious character.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026
In an America where people my age feel particularly subjugated and helpless, accusing someone else of political and moral impropriety and defending your case with your life can instill in you feelings of reified self-empowerment and control.

— Ivy Wolk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

State officials had provided a version of the rolls that withheld such sensitive personal information, citing privacy concerns.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
An Israeli military official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media or to discuss sensitive operational matters, also confirmed the withdrawal.

— Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

Avoid paying in advance through unprotected methods such as wire transfers or gift cards.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
At the press conference, Undersecretary of Education Nicholas Kent accused the Biden administration of leaving Americans unprotected.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of unprotected

Adjective

The end result would be a gassy surface shining as brightly as a more exposed black hole but with the Balmer break and smooth red hump of a 5,000-kelvin star, de Graaff and Naidu theorized.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of exposed

Adjective

My Beloved’s casually romantic chassis—but Kings of Leon are still prone to occasionally rocking out, for better or worse.

— Larry Fitzmaurice, Pitchfork, 9 Nov. 2026
Authorities in quake-prone Japan regularly instruct people to stock up on bottled water, food and batteries, have plans ready to hide under tables and keep comfortable walking shoes at hand.

— Yuri Kageyama, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026