adjective
Uncommon
unprotected
Unprotected (adjective) means lacking protection or defense; exposed to harm. Example: “The village was left unprotected after the soldiers withdrew.”
adjective
1
Lacking protection or defense; exposed to harm.
"The level crossings at Stretton and at the point where the A.L.R. crosses the main road south of Stretton are provided with gates; other crossings are unprotected, save for cattle-guards."
— , Light Railways in Derbyshire (1944)
"The village was left unprotected after the soldiers withdrew."
"Leaving the file unprotected made it easy for anyone to edit."
"I can't help you a cent. Life's hard enough nowadays for an unprotected male. Let alone a girl."
— Herbert George Wells, Expostulations (1909)
How to use unprotected
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot shielded or defended, and so vulnerable.
Common pairings
unprotected border
leave unprotected
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more unprotected
- Superlative
- most unprotected
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The village was left _____ after the soldiers withdrew.
Etymology
From un- + protected.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unprotected
erected
elected
expected
dejected
directed
affected
detected
selected
effected
infected
projected
deflected
See all rhymes for unprotected →
Frequently asked questions
What does “unprotected” mean?
The word “unprotected” means lacking protection or defense; exposed to harm. In plain terms, not shielded or defended, and so vulnerable.
How do you use “unprotected” in a sentence?
Here is “unprotected” used in a sentence: “The village was left unprotected after the soldiers withdrew.”
What part of speech is “unprotected”?
“Unprotected” is an adjective.
Is “unprotected” a common word?
“Unprotected” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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