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
The lack of comprehensive flood data and disclosure leaves many homeowners vulnerable to financial losses, as seen in cases like Ashley Bowman’s, where undisclosed flood history led to significant personal and financial turmoil.
—
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
Any center of liberal and free thought from pop music to Ivy League universities is vulnerable to authoritarian impulses.
—Stephen Collinson, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
Crowded plants grow into a jungle that reduces production and makes plants vulnerable to insects and disease.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
If a redraw goes forward, the most vulnerable House incumbents would be Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) in the southwestern 3rd Congressional District and Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) in the southeastern 1st Congressional District.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vulnerable
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
Any center of liberal and free thought from pop music to Ivy League universities is vulnerable to authoritarian impulses.
—Stephen Collinson, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
Crowded plants grow into a jungle that reduces production and makes plants vulnerable to insects and disease.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
If a redraw goes forward, the most vulnerable House incumbents would be Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) in the southwestern 3rd Congressional District and Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) in the southeastern 1st Congressional District.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vulnerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulnerable
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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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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Amino acids are more easily absorbed than proteins and do not damage the intestinal environment, which means even those with sensitive digestions can take them.—
MISAKI KAWATSU,
Vogue,
10 June 2025
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This principle, applied across all workloads, is instrumental for reducing the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data.—
Ben Blanquera,
Forbes.com,
10 June 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
Adjective
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The president’s embrace of Moscow and corresponding pivot away from Europe is pushing the continent to become more independent and leaving its people far more exposed.—
DMYTRO KULEBA,
Foreign Affairs,
30 May 2025
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The ensemble featured a strapless, sculpted black corset top with an exposed zipper.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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Each had played an iconic housewife, although Molly stood in fascinating contrast with Lucy Ricardo: the former was a fixer, the latter a firecracker, prone to fits of mischievous rage, then spanked into submission by her bandleader husband.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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And someone who leaves a job after only a year or two might be especially prone to overlook a modest balance − which, thanks to the magic of tax-free investment growth, eventually turns into a big balance.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vulnerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulnerable. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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