as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
the cowardly soldiers fled, leaving the palace undefended
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of undefended
Zelensky said Kursk was a major strategy in the war effort, with the aim being to divert Russian troops from the main fighting in eastern Ukraine while also taking prisoners, destroying Russia’s military assets and proving Moscow was undefended.
—
Brad Dress, The Hill, 5 Jan. 2025
With European powers diverting men and supplies to Europe in 1939-41 to battle Nazi Germany, colonies in the Pacific were mostly undefended.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 5 Dec. 2024
In the north, Darwin was facing near-weekly bombing raids from Japanese bases on Timor and surrounding islands, and thousands of miles of tropical coastline were uninhabited and undefended.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024
The whine of mosquitoes probing for just one millimeter of flesh undefended by DEET was constant, set off by a counterpoint buzz of horseflies circling my head.
—Rusty Foster, Washington Post, 23 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for undefended
Brad Dress, The Hill, 5 Jan. 2025
With European powers diverting men and supplies to Europe in 1939-41 to battle Nazi Germany, colonies in the Pacific were mostly undefended.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 5 Dec. 2024
In the north, Darwin was facing near-weekly bombing raids from Japanese bases on Timor and surrounding islands, and thousands of miles of tropical coastline were uninhabited and undefended.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024
The whine of mosquitoes probing for just one millimeter of flesh undefended by DEET was constant, set off by a counterpoint buzz of horseflies circling my head.
—Rusty Foster, Washington Post, 23 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for undefended
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undefended
Adjective
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Healthcare providers and community leaders must also educate patients about vaccination benefits, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and those with high exposure.—
Dr. Jerome Adams,
Time,
10 June 2025
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China’s economy remains vulnerable, though: Prices fell again, cementing fears of deflation.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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Her husband said the crash has left him feeling helpless.—
Melissa Chan,
NBC news,
8 June 2025
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Even if a new microorganism adapted to space or some other environment were to cause disease, humans still wouldn’t necessarily be helpless, Adalja said.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Insulated pots can also provide a bit of extra protection for root systems that can be susceptible to extreme temperature swings, Vater says.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
2 June 2025
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Most aren’t susceptible to personal appeals with no payback.—
Stephen Collinson,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Until recently, most insurance companies followed the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s definition for fertility, which defined infertility as a condition in which heterosexual couples couldn’t conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
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Almost always soft ones -- unprotected public spaces where civilians gather freely.—
Donald J. Mihalek,
ABC News,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undefended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undefended. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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