vulnerability

Rarely vul·ner·a·ble·ness

[vuhl-ner-uh-bil-i-tee]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulnerability¹

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

Example Sentences

In fact, its next sanctions regime will likely be broader than Swift, targeting the full range of Russia’s financial and logistical vulnerabilities.

Read more on Barron's

Fiscal vulnerabilities, potential financial market corrections, and erosion of institutions could threaten stability.

Read more on Barron's

They said some banks had gone to significant lengths to protect customers against romance fraud, but advised further measures, such as better detection and monitoring systems, identifying vulnerability early on, and compassionate aftercare.

Read more on BBC

The regime’s aggressive posturing obscures the vulnerability of its armed forces against the world’s most powerful military.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Stolen files included portions of the source code for BIG-IP and information about undisclosed vulnerabilities in the product.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• susceptibility