vulnerable
/'vʌlnərəbl/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Capable of being physically or emotionally wounded or hurt: Describes someone or something that can be easily injured, damaged, or harmed.
- Susceptible to criticism, persuasion, or temptation: Describes a person, argument, or position that is open to being influenced, criticized, or undermined.
- Susceptible to attack: Describes something that is open to assault, danger, or exploitation due to a lack of adequate protection.
Usage Examples
- Capable of being wounded or hurt:
- Young children are especially vulnerable to illness.
- He felt vulnerable after sharing his personal feelings.
- Susceptible to criticism or persuasion:
- The politician's outdated stance left him vulnerable to criticism from younger voters.
- Her theory is vulnerable to refutation because it lacks solid evidence.
- Susceptible to attack:
- The coastal town is vulnerable to hurricanes.
- A computer system without a firewall is highly vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Advanced Usage
- "to be vulnerable to something": To be in a position where one is likely to be harmed or affected by a specific thing.
- The infrastructure is vulnerable to extreme weather events.
- "in a vulnerable position/state": To be in a condition or situation where one is exposed to potential harm.
- After the scandal, the company was in a vulnerable position financially.
Variants and Related Words
- Vulnerability (n): The state of being vulnerable; a specific weakness.
- The audit revealed several security vulnerabilities in the network.
- Invulnerable (adj): Incapable of being wounded, damaged, or harmed.
- The fortress was considered invulnerable to attack.
Synonyms
- Exposed: Left unprotected from harm or danger.
- Susceptible: Likely to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.
- Defenseless: Lacking protection or the ability to defend oneself.
Antonyms
- Invulnerable: Impossible to harm or damage.
- Resilient: Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
- Protected: Kept safe from harm or injury.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Achilles' heel: A critical weakness or vulnerable point.
- His pride was his Achilles' heel, making him vulnerable to manipulation.
- To lay/leave oneself open to: To make oneself vulnerable to something (e.g., criticism, attack).
- By not preparing properly, she left herself open to criticism.
Adjective
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capable of being wounded or hurt
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vulnerable parts of the body
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susceptible to criticism or persuasion or temptation
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vulnerable to bribery
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an argument vulnerable to refutation
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susceptible to attack
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a vulnerable bridge
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