as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
the home team scored when the visitors' goalie momentarily left the goal unprotected
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Recent Examples of unprotected
If the Heat misses the playoffs this season, Charlotte would get Miami’s unprotected first-round pick in 2028 from the Terry Rozier trade and OKC would get Miami’s unprotected first-round pick in 2026 from the Butler trade with Philadelphia in 2019.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
The Nets had previously traded the rights to both picks — one via pick swap, the other as an unprotected first-rounder — to the Houston Rockets in their 2021 blockbuster for James Harden.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2025
The Lakers should be better off taking an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and swaps in 2030 and 2032 into the summer market to hunt for more impressive prey.
—John Hollinger, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Critics of the trade have pointed to Sacramento not getting more premium picks from San Antonio, like their two unprotected first-round picks from the Atlanta Hawks in 2025 and 2027, and none of the Spurs promising young players like Stephon Castle or Devin Vassell.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unprotected
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
The Nets had previously traded the rights to both picks — one via pick swap, the other as an unprotected first-rounder — to the Houston Rockets in their 2021 blockbuster for James Harden.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2025
The Lakers should be better off taking an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and swaps in 2030 and 2032 into the summer market to hunt for more impressive prey.
—John Hollinger, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Critics of the trade have pointed to Sacramento not getting more premium picks from San Antonio, like their two unprotected first-round picks from the Atlanta Hawks in 2025 and 2027, and none of the Spurs promising young players like Stephon Castle or Devin Vassell.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unprotected
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unprotected
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
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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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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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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
Cite this Entry
“Unprotected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unprotected. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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