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 That's why starting this season, a one-game suspension will be given to any player who accumulates penalties from three specific moves — hip drop tackle, horse collar tackle, launching, hit on a defenseless player, and a blindside block. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026 He is being investigated over allegations of abuse of a defenseless or impaired person resulting in death, an offense carrying a potential sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison or life. — Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 Everyone on all sides feels deeply for little Cora, Dawson, and Callan – three defenseless children who stood no chance. — Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
  1. vulnerable
  2. helpless
  3. susceptible
  4. unprotected
Adjective
  • An alignment takes place, as the legacy media consistently allows Rowling, as one of their own, to get away with removing trans women from their verifiable position as a vulnerable demographic.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The evening brought plenty of laughs, but also a recognition that the progress CAPE and the broader AAPI entertainment community have made remains vulnerable amid an industry facing contraction, layoffs, and shrinking opportunities.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of vulnerable
Adjective
  • If a guy who was seven for 66 in the last two postseasons and was so helpless last year that he was benched for the last three games of the World Series … if that guy can drive in the winning run from the bottom of the order?
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The law distinguishes that from being physically helpless or incapacitated by drugs administered without consent.
    — Hallie Golden, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of helpless
Adjective
  • Up to 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The most susceptible areas will be Long Beach and the Avalon Harbor on Tuesday and Wednesday and then Malibu through Ventura County from Wednesday through Friday.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • But after being left unprotected from the expansion process in June, Jenner signed a three-year contract with Hamilton.
    — Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • As a result of these changes, species are still listed on paper as endangered but are largely unprotected.
    — Timothy Randhir, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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