as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
the home team scored when the visitors' goalie momentarily left the goal unprotected
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unprotected
Declining vaccination rates have left approximately 300,000 kindergarteners unprotected from measles infection.
—
Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
The Clippers would then get an unprotected 2031 first-round pick.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Connelly traded a future first-round pick swap and an 2031 unprotected first-rounder to select Dillingham eighth overall in 2024.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
When the powerless feel unprotected, fear spreads.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unprotected
Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
The Clippers would then get an unprotected 2031 first-round pick.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Connelly traded a future first-round pick swap and an 2031 unprotected first-rounder to select Dillingham eighth overall in 2024.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
When the powerless feel unprotected, fear spreads.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unprotected
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unprotected
Adjective
-
Guthrie was already physically vulnerable.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
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The expedition collected an unprecedented number of chemical, physical and biological samples that will help scientists understand ecosystem connections, biodiversity patterns and how vulnerable these deep-sea environments may be.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Teens are more prone to act on emotion, more susceptible to peer pressure and often less able to consider long-term consequences.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
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Certain medical conditions and factors like age can also make people more susceptible to the cold.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Both Tony and Dick are helpless children of the American Dream — one borne of the system, the other the boss’s literal son, each at the mercy of forces far greater than himself.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
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Footage then showed McCray carrying her, helpless and disoriented, to a laundry room on Connecticut Street.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unprotected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unprotected. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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