vulnerable

[ vuhl-ner-uh-buhl ]

/ ˈvʌl nər ə bəl /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: vulnerable / vulnerability / vulnerableness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

capable of or susceptible to being attacked, damaged, or hurt: a vulnerable part of the body;vulnerable to predators;a company vulnerable to a hostile takeover.

open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, etc.: That is an argument vulnerable to refutation.He is vulnerable to bribery.

(of a place) open to assault; difficult to defend: a vulnerable bridge.

willing to show emotion or to allow one’s weaknesses to be seen or known: Men and boys are rarely seen as vulnerable.

(of a person or population) needing supportive or protective social services and community resources because of advanced age, poverty, disability, etc.

Bridge. having won one of the games of a rubber.

Biology, Ecology. (of a threatened plant or animal species) likely to be classified endangered in the near future unless circumstances that threaten reproduction and survival improve, as categorized by the IUCN Red List: At least 15 percent of our vulnerable reptiles are turtles.Abbreviation: VU

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of vulnerable

First recorded in 1610–20; from Late Latin vulnerābilis “injurious, wounding,” equivalent to Latin vulnerā(re) “to wound” + -bilis; see -ble

OTHER WORDS FROM vulnerable

vul·ner·a·bil·i·ty

[vuhl-ner-uh-bil-i-tee], /ˌvʌl nər əˈbɪl ɪ ti/, vul·ner·a·ble·ness, nounvul·ner·a·bly, adverbun·vul·ner·a·ble, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH vulnerable

venerable, vulnerable

Words nearby vulnerable

Vulgate, Vulgate Bible, vulgus, vulned, vulnerability, vulnerable, vulnerary, Vulpecula, vulpecular, vulpicide, vulpine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use vulnerable in a sentence

More global production happens in areas that are highly vulnerable to climate change.
COVID-19 and climate change expose the dangers of unstable supply chains|matthewheimer|August 27, 2020|Fortune
I’ll keep talking about the issues that matter most to this district as so many vulnerable communities are trying to get through this pandemic and economic crisis.
Texas congressional candidate slams homophobic GOP attacks|Michael K. Lavers|August 27, 2020|Washington Blade
Gulf Coast refineries and petrochemical plants are often located in low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding.
Hurricane Laura is strengthening to a Category 4 storm, threatening billions of dollars in damage to Gulf Coast energy hub|kdunn6|August 26, 2020|Fortune
It is a controversial approach to the coronavirus pandemic because, in allowing the disease to spread unchecked, it puts more vulnerable groups, like the elderly and immunocompromised, at greater risk of death.
Survey of India’s 9th-largest city finds COVID antibodies in 52% of the population|Naomi Xu Elegant|August 21, 2020|Fortune

Hence, those richly priced FANMAGs, along with other rockets such as Tesla, are highly vulnerable to a steep fall.
The champ’s big comeback: Why beaten-down value stocks are poised to thrive|Shawn Tully|August 18, 2020|Fortune
Social media forces us to not only be vulnerable for our partner but for the whole world.
Random Hook-Ups or Dry Spells: Why Millennials Flunk College Dating|Ellie Schaack|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Plus, his known drug dealings certainly made him vulnerable to blackmail.
The Deal With Serial’s Jay? He’s Pissed Off, Mucks Up Our Timeline|Emily Shire|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The masterpiece is huge, but structurally flawed and terribly vulnerable to seismic activity.
Florence Preps ‘David’ for the Big One|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They were individuals who were vulnerable to being recruited.
What the U.S. Can Learn from Europe About Dealing with Terrorists|Scott Beauchamp|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Biden remembered the boy was in a physically vulnerable position: “leaning down on one of those slanted counters.”
Joe Biden: ‘I’ll Kill Your Son’|Olivia Nuzzi|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The elephant, as is well known, is easily vulnerable in one spot only,—the middle of the skull.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
If she became emotional, was vulnerable in her feelings, I knew that Roscoe's peace might be assured.
Mrs. Falchion, Complete|Gilbert Parker
"Just the other way," retorted Lorenza, delighted as angry persons are at having found the antagonist's vulnerable point.
Balsamo, The Magician|Alexander Dumas
Every variety of danger was arising at once; the tempest was concentrated upon the vulnerable point; destruction was imminent.
Toilers of the Sea|Victor Hugo
Finally, the earlier is the warmer season with less danger to vulnerable feet and requiring a lighter equipment.
Mount Everest the Reconnaissance, 1921|Charles Kenneth Howard-Bury

British Dictionary definitions for vulnerable

vulnerable

/ (ˈvʌlnərəbəl) /

adjective

capable of being physically or emotionally wounded or hurt

open to temptation, persuasion, censure, etc

liable or exposed to disease, disaster, etc

military liable or exposed to attack

bridge (of a side who have won one game towards rubber) subject to increased bonuses or penalties

Derived forms of vulnerable

vulnerability or vulnerableness, nounvulnerably, adverb

Word Origin for vulnerable

C17: from Late Latin vulnerābilis, from Latin vulnerāre to wound, from vulnus a wound

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

vulnerable

Origin of vulnerable

OTHER WORDS FROM vulnerable

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH vulnerable

Words nearby vulnerable

Words related to vulnerable

How to use vulnerable in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for vulnerable

Derived forms of vulnerable

Word Origin for vulnerable