online vocabulary.com

Defenseless - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Defenseless means lacking protection or the ability to resist harm. It describes someone or something vulnerable, unable to defend against danger, attack, or criticism. Example: The small animal was defenseless against the predator.

defenseless

/dɪˈfɛnsləs/ /dɪˈfɛnslɪs/

Definition:

Lacking protection or means to resist harm or danger.

Synonyms:

vulnerable, unprotected, unguarded, helpless

Part of Speech:

adjective

Antonyms:

protected, guarded, secure

Common Collocations:

defenseless victim, defenseless position, defenseless creature

Derivatives:

defenselessness, defenselessly

Usage Tips:

Use "defenseless" to describe someone or something unable to defend itself against threats or attacks.

Common Phrases:

leave defenseless, utterly defenseless, defenseless against

Etymology:

Derived from "defense" + "-less," meaning without defense; first recorded in the early 17th century.

Examples:

  • 1. The kitten was small and defenseless against the larger animals.
  • 2. Without weapons, the village was left defenseless during the attack.
  • 3. She felt defenseless when confronted by the aggressive stranger.
  • 4. The baby birds appeared utterly defenseless in their nest.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS