vulnerability

American  

[vuhl-ner-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌvʌl nər əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

Rarely vulnerableness

noun

1. openness or susceptibility to attack or harm.

   We need to develop bold policies that will reduce the vulnerability of farmers to drought and floods.

2. willingness to show emotion or to allow one’s weaknesses to be seen or known; willingness to risk being emotionally hurt.

   The foundation for open communication consists of honesty, trust, and vulnerability.

3. the condition of needing supportive or protective social services and community resources because of advanced age, poverty, disability, etc..

   the vulnerability of disabled senior citizens.

4. Biology, likeliness to be classified as an endangered species in the near future unless circumstances improve.

   the vulnerability of the giraffe.

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Etymology

Origin of vulnerability

First recorded in 1800–10; vulnerable ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Example Sentences

Lately, what had been the firm’s chief selling points are becoming vulnerabilities.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We expect cyclical sectors and oil importers—some of which have had strong starts to the year and may face vulnerability from positioning adjustments—will likely see pressure unless a resolution occurs quickly.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The sense of vulnerability is tangible - command centres damaged, leadership decapitated, and decision-making compressed into crisis mode.

From BBC

Over the long term, this can help build up a "pattern of life" to predict and understand activity as well as search for moments of vulnerability.

From BBC

Rather than fearing a grandstand finish, David Moyes' team clearly sensed there was still time for one final twist against a side with such defensive vulnerabilities.

From BBC

Related Words

• susceptibility