vulnerable

[ vuhl-ner-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. 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.

2. open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, etc.:

   That is an argument vulnerable to refutation.

   He is vulnerable to bribery.

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

   a vulnerable bridge.

4. willing to show emotion or to allow one’s weaknesses to be seen or known:

   Men and boys are rarely seen as vulnerable.

5. (of a person or population) needing supportive or protective social services and community resources because of advanced age, poverty, disability, etc.
6. Bridge. having won one of the games of a rubber.
7. 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: : VU

   At least 15 percent of our vulnerable reptiles are turtles.

vulnerable

/ ˈvʌlnərəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being physically or emotionally wounded or hurt
2. open to temptation, persuasion, censure, etc
3. liable or exposed to disease, disaster, etc
4. military liable or exposed to attack
5. bridge (of a side who have won one game towards rubber) subject to increased bonuses or penalties

Derived Forms

• ˈvulnerably, adverb
• ˌvulneraˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• vul·ner·a·bil·i·ty [vuhl-ner-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], vul·ner·a·ble·ness noun
• vul·ner·a·bly adverb
• un·vul·ner·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulnerable¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulnerable¹

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

Example Sentences

The release comes after the expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill extension on Sept. 30, 2023, leaving many programs under the bill vulnerable to lapsing as the year-end deadline approaches.

From Salon

Al Fayed “had access to vulnerable young women from that school”, she said, adding that testimony she had heard suggested that Al Fayed’s “tentacles went far and wide”.

From BBC

Chronic stress can inflict more serious damage to the immune system and make people more vulnerable to heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, infertility, clinical anxiety, depression and other ailments.

From Los Angeles Times

In cases where the customer cannot be identified, Ofgem said E.On will pay into the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme - a charity which supports vulnerable energy customers.

From BBC

In love, it can be terrifying to show all your cards, to make yourself vulnerable, to let your desire be fully seen.

From New York Times

Related Words

• accessible
• defenseless
• exposed
• liable
• ready
• sensitive
• susceptible
• unsafe
• weak