vulnerable
11 synonyms and 6 antonyms for vulnerable, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Likely to be harmed, attacked, or hurt, physically or emotionally.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use vulnerable
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Late Latin vulnerabilis, "wounding," from Latin vulnero, "to wound."
Full origin of vulnerable →Frequently asked questions
What does “vulnerable” mean?
The word “vulnerable” means likely to be harmed, attacked, or hurt, physically or emotionally. In plain terms, exposed to harm — able to be hurt, attacked, or affected easily.
How do you pronounce “vulnerable”?
“Vulnerable” is pronounced VUHLN-ruhbl (/ˈvʌln(ə)ɹəbl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “vulnerable” in a sentence?
Here is “vulnerable” used in a sentence: “Newborns are especially vulnerable to infection.”
What is another word for “vulnerable”?
Words with a similar meaning to “vulnerable” include defenceless, helpless, powerless, unguarded, unprotected and weak.
What is the opposite of “vulnerable”?
The opposite of “vulnerable” — its antonyms — are durable, indomitable, invincible, invulnerable and powerful.
What part of speech is “vulnerable”?
“Vulnerable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “vulnerable” come from?
The word “vulnerable” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin vulnerabilis, "wounding," from Latin vulnero, "to wound.".
Is “vulnerable” a common word?
“Vulnerable” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between vulnerable and fragile?
Fragile means easily broken or damaged and is usually about physical delicacy, like fragile glass. Vulnerable means likely to be harmed, attacked, or hurt, physically or emotionally, and applies to people, systems, and situations, not just objects. A person can be emotionally vulnerable without being physically fragile.
What is the difference between vulnerable and susceptible?
Both describe being open to harm, but susceptible is usually followed by "to" and names a specific threat, as in "susceptible to colds." Vulnerable is broader and can stand alone, describing a general state of being likely to be harmed, attacked, or hurt. In computing, a system is often called vulnerable when it is open to attack from malicious software or hackers.
What preposition is used with vulnerable?
Vulnerable is typically followed by "to" when naming the source of harm, as in "vulnerable to attack" or "vulnerable to criticism." It can also stand alone, as in "vulnerable people," when the threat is understood from context.