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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His callers represent a wide variety of people –– men, women, conservative Christians, truck drivers, veterans, police officers and farmers –– many of whom often heavily feel the stigma of struggling with mental health, being vulnerable and asking for help.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
17 May 2025 -
But the program which pays for more than four of every 10 U.S. births is vulnerable to deep budget cuts — part of the cost of renewing Trump’s tax breaks that favor the wealthy.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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His curveball induced one helpless swing from the Diamondbacks (26-23) after another.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
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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
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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
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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
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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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Among the reasons many in the franchise were particularly pleased to make the playoffs and bypass Monday’s lottery was the reality of otherwise standing to lose unprotected first-round picks in 2026 and ’28 due to previous trades, including the disastrous Terry Rozier trade.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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