defenseless

adjective

Definition of defenselessnext
as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack the lack of warm clothing left the hikers defenseless against the unexpected cold snap

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 defenseless Of course, later on, Georgia and I will laugh about Kevin, along with every other defenseless man in the universe. — Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026 The shortage is costing Ukraine most acutely, where cities some nights appear defenseless to Moscow’s rocket assaults. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026 In the face of new attack vectors, cargo ships are completely defenseless. — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Worse, during removal, structures requiring dampers are essentially as defenseless against even normal winds as a car without brakes. — New Atlas, 24 July 2026 Legal battles can discourage farmers Mora said the years-long litigation has left him feeling frustrated and defenseless. — Claire Rush, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 Scheffler, thanks to a birdie barrage on a soft, defenseless golf course, needed two more at the 17th and 18th to equal Furyk’s 12-under 58. — Nick Pietruszkiewicz, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2026 White warmly greeted the controversial Tate brothers, Andrew and Tristan, at an event in Las Vegas for Power Slap—another combat-sports offering, founded by White in 2022, involving one person striking their defenseless opponent with all their might. — Sean Gregory, Time, 26 May 2026 If one bomb hit just right, all military communications could go down, leaving the entire country essentially defenseless. — Laura Isensee, Scientific American, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
  1. vulnerable
  2. helpless
  3. susceptible
  4. unprotected
Adjective
  • The song is written as a conversation with that mythic other woman, who Parton confronts here in a way that manages to come across as both extremely vulnerable and drawing on a huge reserve of strength.
    — Ed Masley, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For someone vulnerable to an eating disorder, [pressure] from social media, celebrity images, or the growing visibility of GLP-1 medications can reinforce restriction and the belief that their body is somehow not small enough.
    — Marti Noxon, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of vulnerable
Adjective
  • Muslims who are peace-loving and helpless also need a hand up.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Yes, there were moments of humor, such as getting magic potions around the campfire at the end of each stage by whacking helpless little elves, but most of it was played straight, to great effect.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of helpless
Adjective
  • Their protection schemes might expect edge rushers, but both Van Ginkel and Turner could drift backward, making the interior more susceptible.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Therapists, being human, are susceptible to biases and errors during demanding sessions, which can occur before, during, or after client interactions.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • In the current setup, teams select players that other teams leave unprotected and then must carry that player on their big-league roster for a full year.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Splitting the shot up decreases vaccination rates and leaves children unprotected over a longer period, experts say.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of unprotected

Browse Nearby Words

defense
defenseless
defenselessness
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Cite this Entry

“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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