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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vulnerable
And Inside Elections, a nonpartisan organization that analyzes congressional races, rates eight Republican congressmen as very vulnerable.
—
David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
As Hodges stood there, scared and vulnerable, the man grabbed his baton and bashed him on the head with it, rupturing his lip and smashing his skull.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
To keep the most vulnerable safe, Ivan has to decide to confront the soldiers or deceive them at the potential cost of his life.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
There have been false dawns of protest before, but Iran’s regime is vulnerable.
—The Wall Street Journal, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vulnerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulnerable
Adjective
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The human brain is highly susceptible to often unproductive mind-wandering, and modern technology has only made the problem worse.—
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Common Pests and Diseases Like all plants, hoyas can be susceptible to pests and diseases.—
Adjective
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Americans have gotten used to the idea that our government is helpless to get anything done.—
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Neighbors are feeling helpless, especially as tax season gets underway.—
Adjective
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The commission said the report overlooks other time-sensitive cases that don't require intake appointments.—
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Cold conditions may damage or kill sensitive crops, plants, and vegetation if appropriate precautions are not taken.—
Adjective
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Although Hall won his third Vezina Trophy — at the time awarded to the goalies on the team that allowed the fewest goals — in 1966-67, the Hawks left him unprotected in the NHL expansion draft, and the Blues pounced.—
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That selection is lottery protected in 2027 or otherwise unprotected in 2028.—
Adjective
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During that intrusion, the attacker discovered an exposed API that could be used to access customer information linked to 700Credit's dealership clients.—
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America is entering 2026 with a health system that is more politically exposed, more unequal, and more unstable than at any time in recent memory.—
Adjective
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When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods.—
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And then on Thursday, after most of the show had been written, a man collapsed in the Oval Office, generating an instantly meme-able photograph of the president staring into the camera, looking oblivious to efforts to revive the prone victim at stage left.—
Cite this Entry
“Vulnerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulnerable. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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