VULNERABLE Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

vulnerable

adjective

ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl

Definition of vulnerable

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Leo called on those involved in the conflict to ensure the safe passage of Ukrainian grain shipments through the Black Sea, emphasizing the consequences for vulnerable populations around the world. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 City officials have been frantically preparing for Rachel, building sand berms and fortifying vulnerable areas with sandbags. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 The agency ruled out tsunami risks and said assessments of vulnerable areas were ongoing. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 Isolated damage is unlikely but possible, especially across most vulnerable areas. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vulnerable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulnerable

Adjective

Up to 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
The most susceptible areas will be Long Beach and the Avalon Harbor on Tuesday and Wednesday and then Malibu through Ventura County from Wednesday through Friday.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

If a guy who was seven for 66 in the last two postseasons and was so helpless last year that he was benched for the last three games of the World Series … if that guy can drive in the winning run from the bottom of the order?

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
The law distinguishes that from being physically helpless or incapacitated by drugs administered without consent.

— Hallie Golden, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

Another network had received the notification by late Saturday, according to a person familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share sensitive details.

— Miriam Waldvogel, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Pictet seemed sensitive to the moral risk of going into Syria for the wrong reasons.

— Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

But after being left unprotected from the expansion process in June, Jenner signed a three-year contract with Hamilton.

— Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
As a result of these changes, species are still listed on paper as endangered but are largely unprotected.

— Timothy Randhir, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of unprotected

Adjective

The end result would be a gassy surface shining as brightly as a more exposed black hole but with the Balmer break and smooth red hump of a 5,000-kelvin star, de Graaff and Naidu theorized.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026
Morgan Stanley said Equinix and Digital Realty are less exposed because their facilities average roughly 5 to 10 megawatts, far below the gigawatt-scale AI campuses planned by hyperscalers and neocloud operators.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of exposed

Adjective

But at his worst, Willis has been a mess - error-prone, inaccurate, unable at times to spot open receivers.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
The White Sox have been prone to the strikeout all season long, having the fifth-highest strikeout rate in the league, but this was another level.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026