noun Uncommon

vulnerability

vuhln-ruh-BIH-lih-tee

Vulnerability (noun) means the state of being open to being hurt, attacked, or emotionally exposed. Example: “Opening up about his past took real vulnerability.”

noun

The state of being open to being hurt, attacked, or emotionally exposed.

"Opening up about his past took real vulnerability."

"The elderly residents were at heightened vulnerability during the heatwave."

A weakness in a system, especially a computer system, that could be exploited by an attacker.

"The security team patched a critical vulnerability in the login system."

How to Use Vulnerability

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing exposed to harm — emotionally, physically, or (in tech) through a security weakness.

Common pairings

emotional vulnerability security vulnerability exploit a vulnerability

Word Forms

vulnerabilities plural

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Opening up about his past took real _____.

Etymology

From vulnerable plus the noun suffix -ity.

Synonyms

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susceptibility exposure weak spot security flaw fragility defenselessness vulnerableness

Antonyms

invulnerability

Related Words

picture risk photo coverage exposure weakness detection publicity

Rhymes for vulnerability

city pity deity acuity parity entity brevity opacity paucity ability quality reality

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “vulnerability” mean?

The word “vulnerability” means the state of being open to being hurt, attacked, or emotionally exposed. In plain terms, being exposed to harm — emotionally, physically, or (in tech) through a security weakness.

How do you pronounce “vulnerability”?

“Vulnerability” is pronounced vuhln-ruh-BIH-lih-tee (/ˌvʌln(ə)ɹəˈbɪləti/ in IPA).

How do you use “vulnerability” in a sentence?

Here is “vulnerability” used in a sentence: “Opening up about his past took real vulnerability.”

What is another word for “vulnerability”?

Words with a similar meaning to “vulnerability” include vulnerableness.

What is the opposite of “vulnerability”?

The opposite of “vulnerability” — its antonyms — is invulnerability.

What part of speech is “vulnerability”?

“Vulnerability” is a noun.

Is “vulnerability” a common word?

“Vulnerability” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “vulnerability” have?

“Vulnerability” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being open to being hurt, attacked, or emotionally exposed.

What is the difference between vulnerability and weakness?

Vulnerability describes being open to being hurt, attacked, or exposed, while weakness describes a lack of strength or capability more generally. A person can be emotionally vulnerable without being weak, since vulnerability is about openness to harm rather than an inherent lack of ability.

What is a vulnerability in cybersecurity?

In cybersecurity, a vulnerability is a weakness in a system, especially a computer system, that could be exploited by an attacker to gain unauthorized access or cause damage. Software vendors regularly release patches to fix known vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

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