DEFENSELESSNESS Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

defenselessness

noun

as in vulnerability

the quality or state of having little resistance to some outside agent our utter defenselessness against the rising floodwaters quickly became apparent

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defenselessness The fragile defenselessness of the proud has proven mesmerizing. — Lo Patrick, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenselessness

vulnerability

Noun

The charges come with additional special allegations, around the victim’s vulnerability and that Tapia abused a trustworthy position.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
The Dodgers’ bullpen and vaunted starters also showed vulnerabilities throughout the summer.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of vulnerability

Browse Nearby Words

defenseless

defenselessness

defenses

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Defenselessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenselessness. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of defenselessness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes