Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The crackdown in Iran is targeting "defenceless" people who need the support of the international community to "put an end" to the current system, award-winning Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi said on Tuesday.

From Barron's • Jan. 13, 2026

"Why would she sell out Maduro, leaving her defenceless, internally, against the guys who really control the guns," Gunson says.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

They are described as "tolerated" and their owners are defenceless.

From Barron's • Nov. 5, 2025

Six centuries later, Europeans introduced larger mammals that feasted on defenceless birds.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2023

By coming down here, he and Percy had left the others defenceless.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan