vulnerable

adjective
UK: /ˈvʌlnərəbl/
US: /ˈvʌlnərəbəl/

  1. Easily harmed or hurt; susceptible to physical or emotional attack or damage.

    1. Small children are vulnerable to diseases. [ ] [ ]
    2. Without proper cybersecurity, companies are vulnerable to data breaches and financial losses. [ ] [ ]

  2. Exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

    1. The troops were vulnerable in the open field. [ ] [ ]
    2. The website left users vulnerable because of the weak password requirements and security flaws. [ ] [ ]

  3. In a state of weakness or uncertainty, making it easier to be affected by something negative.

    1. I felt very vulnerable after the breakup. [ ] [ ]
    2. During economic downturns, many families become vulnerable to financial hardship and food insecurity. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

susceptible exposed weak unsafe endangered unguarded
vulnerable transitive-verb

  1. To make someone or something vulnerable; to expose to potential harm or danger.

    1. The new law could vulnerable the poor. [ ] [ ]
    2. His naive trust vulnerabled him to deception, leading to significant financial losses and emotional distress. [ ] [ ]
vulnerable noun

  1. A person or group that is easily harmed or at risk.

    1. The old are vulnerable to cold. [ ] [ ]
    2. The program is specifically designed to protect vulnerable members of our society. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "vulnerable" in English means: Easily harmed or hurt; susceptible to physical or emotional attack or damage., Exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally., In a state of weakness or uncertainty, making it easier to be affected by something negative..

The phonetic transcription of "vulnerable" is /ˈvʌlnərəbl/ in British English and /ˈvʌlnərəbəl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "vulnerable": susceptible, exposed, weak, unsafe, endangered, unguarded.

Example usage of "vulnerable": "Small children are vulnerable to diseases.". More examples on the page.