as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
the cowardly soldiers fled, leaving the palace undefended
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Recent Examples of undefended
With European powers diverting men and supplies to Europe in 1939-41 to battle Nazi Germany, colonies in the Pacific were mostly undefended.
—
Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 5 Dec. 2024
In the north, Darwin was facing near-weekly bombing raids from Japanese bases on Timor and surrounding islands, and thousands of miles of tropical coastline were uninhabited and undefended.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024
The whine of mosquitoes probing for just one millimeter of flesh undefended by DEET was constant, set off by a counterpoint buzz of horseflies circling my head.
—Rusty Foster, Washington Post, 23 July 2024
Finally, the extensive, rugged border between China and India will always furnish undefended areas that provide fertile ground for territory grabs.
—Dan Altman, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2021
See All Example Sentences for undefended
Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 5 Dec. 2024
In the north, Darwin was facing near-weekly bombing raids from Japanese bases on Timor and surrounding islands, and thousands of miles of tropical coastline were uninhabited and undefended.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024
The whine of mosquitoes probing for just one millimeter of flesh undefended by DEET was constant, set off by a counterpoint buzz of horseflies circling my head.
—Rusty Foster, Washington Post, 23 July 2024
Finally, the extensive, rugged border between China and India will always furnish undefended areas that provide fertile ground for territory grabs.
—Dan Altman, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2021
See All Example Sentences for undefended
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undefended
Adjective
-
The Trump administration has been accused of disregarding due process protections, especially for vulnerable groups, such as the U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
-
Without strong glutes to stabilize your pelvis and support your spine, other areas of your body are stressed and become more vulnerable to injury.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
His curveball induced one helpless swing from the Diamondbacks (26-23) after another.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
-
Scheifele’s emotional and inspirational decision to play mere hours after his father’s unexpected death — to play for his dad, to play because of his dad — ended in cruel fashion, with Scheifele helpless in the penalty box.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
Recent research shows rural SMEs, those based outside city limits, may be more susceptible to financial risk posed by climate hazards.—
Claire Poole,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
These mutations can make the cancer more aggressive but also potentially susceptible to a specific type of drug called a PARP inhibitor, especially if the cancer becomes resistant to hormone therapy.—
Jason P. Joseph,
The Conversation,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
Over the next seven years, the Kings have all of their own first-round picks along with unprotected first-round picks from the San Antonio Spurs (2027) and Minnesota Timberwolves (2031).—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2025
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Child protective services would be cut, leaving vulnerable children unprotected from child abuse and neglect.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undefended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undefended. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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