1
as in susceptible
being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm
I'm vulnerable to sunburn whenever I go out in the sun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in helpless
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
vulnerable baby chicks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vulnerable
His writing about all of this is some of his best and most vulnerable.
—
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Van Der Beek was vulnerable, too.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
The bag was made heavy with a stockpile of harm reduction supplies meant to help vulnerable drug users stay healthy and avoid disease, including sterile syringes, condoms, emergency blankets, and hand warmers.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
Both groups are vulnerable and finding real solutions would help solve a variety of societal issues.
—Larry J. Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vulnerable
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Van Der Beek was vulnerable, too.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
The bag was made heavy with a stockpile of harm reduction supplies meant to help vulnerable drug users stay healthy and avoid disease, including sterile syringes, condoms, emergency blankets, and hand warmers.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
Both groups are vulnerable and finding real solutions would help solve a variety of societal issues.
—Larry J. Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vulnerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulnerable
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
Adjective
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The new revelations include documents suggesting Mandelson shared sensitive government information with Epstein after the 2008 global financial crisis.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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The new revelations include documents suggesting Mandelson shared sensitive government information with Epstein after the 2008 global financial crisis.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Its reliance on Western hardware has left Ukrainians unprotected.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
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According to the San Diego Bird Alliance, the western snowy plover lays its eggs in loose sand with little cover along the Pacific coastline, leaving its nest largely unprotected from high tides and weather.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Chinese delayed their retaliation for a while and then, very cunningly, took disproportionate revenge on Canada, recognizing Canada as the weaker link, who got less from the tariffs and were more exposed.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
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Many people may feel more exposed, vulnerable, or emotionally raw, precisely because an essential need needs to be recognized.—
Marie Bladt,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Without prioritizing muscle health that helps combat the metabolic effects of lower estrogen, women are more prone to metabolic dysfunction.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
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Galanti said that uncertainty is why infrequent travelers are often more prone to anxiety than experienced ones.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vulnerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulnerable. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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