1
as in susceptible
being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm
I'm vulnerable to sunburn whenever I go out in the sun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in helpless
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
vulnerable baby chicks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vulnerable
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
Lawmakers this week condemned the Trump administration’s termination of humanitarian protections that have left a 4-year-old girl who is receiving critical medical treatment in Los Angeles vulnerable to deportation and death.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Our culture has long been vulnerable to celebrities and influencers who popularize hate.
—Jonathan A. Greenblatt, HollywoodReporter, 29 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
See All Example Sentences for vulnerable
Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Lawmakers this week condemned the Trump administration’s termination of humanitarian protections that have left a 4-year-old girl who is receiving critical medical treatment in Los Angeles vulnerable to deportation and death.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Our culture has long been vulnerable to celebrities and influencers who popularize hate.
—Jonathan A. Greenblatt, HollywoodReporter, 29 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
See All Example Sentences for vulnerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulnerable
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
-
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
-
These searches help keep digital communications and sensitive information safe.—
Jeremiah Bartz,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
-
The lightweight formula is fragrance-free — ideal for sensitive skin — and doubles as a primer thanks to its matte finish.—
Madison Yauger,
People.com,
30 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
-
Child protective services would be cut, leaving vulnerable children unprotected from child abuse and neglect.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
The exposed brick walls are freshly painted ecru, and new oversize picture windows splash sunlight onto the furniture, like a 1950s coffee table with fanciful Jacques Blin tiles on top and some inevitable scuffs on its wood legs ($8,200).—
Craig Kellogg Ashok Sinha,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Beneath her blazer, the Princess of Wales styled a light blue, button-up collared shirt with exposed cuffs.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2025
-
This natural stone is porous enough to stain, soft enough to scratch, and prone to damage from chemicals.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vulnerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulnerable. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share