DEFENSELESS Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

defenseless

adjective

Definition of defenseless

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

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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 defenseless Helmet-to-helmet crashes happen in the NFL and usually a flag is thrown if the player on the receiving end of the damage is considered to be a defenseless player or a defender leads with their helmet when making a tackle – not the opposite. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 This year, many are defenseless against the rice-sized insect’s relentless assault. — Jennifer Oldham, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026 That's why starting this season, a one-game suspension will be given to any player who accumulates penalties from three specific moves — hip drop tackle, horse collar tackle, launching, hit on a defenseless player, and a blindside block. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026 He is being investigated over allegations of abuse of a defenseless or impaired person resulting in death, an offense carrying a potential sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison or life. — Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 Everyone on all sides feels deeply for little Cora, Dawson, and Callan – three defenseless children who stood no chance. — Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2026 Of course, later on, Georgia and I will laugh about Kevin, along with every other defenseless man in the universe. — Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026 In the face of new attack vectors, cargo ships are completely defenseless. — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Worse, during removal, structures requiring dampers are essentially as defenseless against even normal winds as a car without brakes. — New Atlas, 24 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenseless

Adjective

The fact is, the bill helps to preserve Medicaid for those who need it most, including low-income families, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
But that leaves the intricate energy system vulnerable to shocks.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of vulnerable

Adjective

That’s not because Crystal soft-pedals the emotional horror of returning to your home to find charred remains after watching, helpless, as flames took the locus of all your best memories.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
That’s not because Crystal soft-pedals the emotional horror of returning to the charred remains of your home after watching, helpless, as flames took the locus of all your best memories.

— Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

Kirshner says most units aren’t susceptible and that the issues appear quickly on units with the defect.

— Jay Peters, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026
Microwave weapons can address groups of small aircraft, interceptors can physically destroy individual threats, electronic warfare can disrupt susceptible communications, and lasers can interfere with optical sensors.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

However, the fibers cannot simply be dropped into the ocean unprotected.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
However, during the same season, more than a third of the state’s children went unprotected, and many older Marylanders eligible for the RSV vaccine never received it.

— Adejare Atanda, Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of unprotected

Browse Nearby Words

defense

defenseless

defenselessness

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Style

“Defenseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenseless. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of defenseless

adjective

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