as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
the lack of warm clothing left the hikers defenseless against the unexpected cold snap
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless
Adjective
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Children, whose bodies are still developing, are also among the most vulnerable to phthalates and other endocrine disrupters.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
Health,
19 Mar. 2025 -
Likewise, movement jobs require individuals with the capacity to face forces that are endangering the lives of many people, engage in rigorous political education, take in constructive feedback, and be accountable to the most vulnerable communities.—
Aparna Rae,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Abuse survivors can feel helpless trying to escape perpetrators or avoid being found and stalked when the safeguards in place are repeatedly violated, experts said, as in Lisa’s case.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2025
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Now, with the help of their dad’s right-hand woman Lucky (Poorna Jagannathan), the helpless brothers must assume the position as co-heads of his drug cartel.—
Max Gao,
NBC News,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The president also ordered federal agencies to identify colleges with endowments over $1 billion that might be susceptible to investigation or lawsuits due to their DEI policies.—
Graham Kates,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2025
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But if a mother is unvaccinated or doesn’t have immunity, babies are left susceptible.—
Neha Mukherjee,
CNN,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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However, portions of the beach are unprotected, including several sections of the beach behind the Riu.—
Michael Ruiz,
Fox News,
12 Mar. 2025
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The bird flu is a type of Influenza A that only spreads between birds, but people can get infected through direct unprotected contact with birds that are infected.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
18 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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