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
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Recent Examples of defenseless
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
This was not a case of a fighter taking free shots while defenseless.
—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
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
By contrast, the publication of his translation of Kafka in Italian in the spring of 1983 left him feeling empty, helpless, defenseless.
—
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
The play was widely denounced after Greig bloodied a defenseless Walker with an uppercut to the face while Walker was held in a headlock by another Senators player.
—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Javier Cabello, founder of the Chiloé Silvestre NGO, has warned that the species’ small size leaves it especially defenseless in these situations — particularly in areas where roads cut through forest habitat.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Vegas' Mitch Marner skated into the high slot and his shot ricocheted off two Dallas players and landed near Smith, who scored from close range past a defenseless Casey DeSmith.
—
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
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
This was not a case of a fighter taking free shots while defenseless.
—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
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
By contrast, the publication of his translation of Kafka in Italian in the spring of 1983 left him feeling empty, helpless, defenseless.
—
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
The play was widely denounced after Greig bloodied a defenseless Walker with an uppercut to the face while Walker was held in a headlock by another Senators player.
—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Javier Cabello, founder of the Chiloé Silvestre NGO, has warned that the species’ small size leaves it especially defenseless in these situations — particularly in areas where roads cut through forest habitat.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Vegas' Mitch Marner skated into the high slot and his shot ricocheted off two Dallas players and landed near Smith, who scored from close range past a defenseless Casey DeSmith.
—
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
Adjective
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Key industries like agriculture, outdoor recreation, and the power grid are structurally vulnerable to water scarcity and extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change.
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The gang members and associates allegedly focused on recruiting vulnerable minor girls and young women, many of whom came from broken homes or had fallen through the foster care system, Essayli said Wednesday.
Adjective
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The leading interpretation is that Smilodon delivered a single precise bite to the throat or belly, severing something vital in a target that was already helpless.
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Pele controls the ball in the penalty area with his thigh, flips it over the head of the defender and smashes it past a helpless Kalle Svensson.
Adjective
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However, people with weakened immune systems or certain underlying health conditions may be more susceptible to infection.
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Cooking Oils Cooking oils high in unsaturated fats, such as olive, walnut, and flaxseed oils, are among the pantry items most susceptible to heat damage.
Adjective
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The Lakers also gave Utah unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
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The Celtics, after failing to land Antetokounmpo, sent Brown to Philly for Paul George, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, a 2028 pick/swap, and two second-round picks.
Cite this Entry
“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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