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

Critics argue the system rewards workers not for skill or experience, but for what their behavior reveals about their financial vulnerability.

From MarketWatch

Instead, the firm invested alongside, and sometimes in, other funds, a feature that is now being treated as a vulnerability.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many of the drivers that have powered growth through the past few years, such as the AI boom and free-spending consumers, are also vulnerabilities.

From The Wall Street Journal

The economy has several vulnerabilities that could erupt as high oil prices bite.

From The Wall Street Journal

The economy has several vulnerabilities that could erupt as high oil prices bite.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• susceptibility