unprotected

adjective

un·​pro·​tect·​ed ˌən-prə-ˈtek-təd 

1

: lacking protection or defense

unprotected troops

skin unprotected from the sun's rays

2

: performed without the use of birth control to prevent pregnancy

also : performed without the use of a condom to prevent spread of sexually transmitted disease

unprotected sex

Synonyms

• defenseless
• exposed
• helpless
• susceptible
• undefended
• unguarded
• unresistant
• vulnerable

Examples of unprotected in a Sentence

They're planning to build roads over thousands of acres of unprotected land.

If your computer is unprotected, you're likely to get a virus.

Recent Examples on the Web

Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025

But experts say this order may leave Americans unprotected from emerging diseases such as bird flu and Marburg — and inhibit the agency from responding to new threats. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025

The team was linked to Chula Vista native Paul Arriola earlier this offseason after FC Dallas left him unprotected in the MLS expansion draft. —Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025

Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

unprotected

adjective

un·​pro·​tect·​ed ˌən-prə-ˈtek-təd 

1

: lacking protection or defense

unprotected troops

skin unprotected from the sun's rays

2

: performed without the use of birth control to prevent pregnancy

also : performed without the use of a condom to prevent the spread of a sexually transmitted disease

unprotected sex

Medical Definition

unprotected

adjective

un·​pro·​tect·​ed -prə-ˈtek-təd 

: not protected

especially : performed without measures to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease

unprotected sexual intercourse