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.
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.