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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in helpless
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
vulnerable baby chicks
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vulnerable
Downtown painters in New York City such as Willa Wasserman, Michelle Uckotter, and Agnes Walden employ a kind of strategic opacity, refusing the more commercial route of vulnerable self-portraits.
—
Grace Byron, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
The first 1,000 days of a child's life — a term popularized in the early 2010s to describe the importance of pregnancy and the first two years of life — are some of the most vulnerable periods for growth and development.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Sudden cold snaps can also strain power grids and pose health risks—particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and unhoused.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The interconnections mean that the risks are systemic, and render the system much more vulnerable to a financial crisis.
—Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vulnerable
Grace Byron, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
The first 1,000 days of a child's life — a term popularized in the early 2010s to describe the importance of pregnancy and the first two years of life — are some of the most vulnerable periods for growth and development.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Sudden cold snaps can also strain power grids and pose health risks—particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and unhoused.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The interconnections mean that the risks are systemic, and render the system much more vulnerable to a financial crisis.
—Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vulnerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulnerable
Adjective
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The largest member of the grass family, bamboo is combustible, susceptible to deterioration and weaker in rain, raising legitimate questions about its durability, Arup’s Ho said.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
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Those are straightforward power rushes designed to contain mobile quarterbacks rather than spamming exotic pressure looks that could leave the defensive line susceptible to holes.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This burden of additional responsibilities and emotional labor with less resources lead many women to feel helpless, leaving divorce as the only escape.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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The sunbathers of sleepy Amity Bay are helpless against the unexpected great white shark that hunts their coasts; Spielberg’s talent for suspense, effective horror shocks, and ingenious reinvention of the classic animal-attack movie remain as impressive as ever.—
Christina Newland,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Bella, now three and a half years old, was described by Overbye as calm, sensitive, quiet, smart, and playful.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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Prevent this by grounding AI in your documents and adding human review for sensitive content.—
Louis Mosca,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The growing costs to buy and maintain a car –exacerbated by inflation and tariffs –are leading to rising auto loan defaults and repossessions and a potential crisis for American consumers left unprotected by the federal government, according to a new report by a consumer advocacy organization.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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No little boy or girl should feel unsafe or unprotected while changing in school.—
Georgea Kovanis,
Freep.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And in the height of summer, with an extra air conditioner pumping in the corner, the heat from the semi-exposed kitchen can make the dining room feel slightly steamy.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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There’s a good amount of pedaling and a few exposed, high-stakes areas.—
Shauna Farnell,
Denver Post,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Certain seed varieties are formulated to be less prone to splitting, including Stonehead, Savoy Ace, and Caraflex.—
Amy Brightfield,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
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Over 20 years, Belichick disciples became prone to treating players as disposable assets instead of human beings they are supposed to both employ and empower.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vulnerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulnerable. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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