1 vulnerability | Definition of vulnerability
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vulnerable

adjective
vul路​ner路​a路​ble | \ 藞v蓹l-n(蓹-)r蓹-b蓹l How to pronounce vulnerable (audio) , 藞v蓹l-n蓹r-b蓹l\

Definition of vulnerable

1 : capable of being physically or emotionally wounded
2 : open to attack or damage : assailable vulnerable to criticism
3 : liable to increased penalties but entitled to increased bonuses after winning a game in contract bridge
Other Words from vulnerable Synonyms & Antonyms The History of Vulnerable More Example Sentences Learn More about vulnerable

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Other Words from vulnerable

vulnerability \ 藢v蓹l-​n(蓹-​)r蓹-​藞bi-​l蓹-​t膿 How to pronounce vulnerability (audio) \ noun
vulnerableness \ 藞v蓹l-​n(蓹-​)r蓹-​b蓹l-​n蓹s How to pronounce vulnerableness (audio) , 藞v蓹l-​n蓹r-​b蓹l-​ \ noun
vulnerably \ 藞v蓹l-​n(蓹-​)r蓹-​bl膿 How to pronounce vulnerably (audio) , 藞v蓹l-​n蓹r-​bl膿 \ adverb

The History of Vulnerable

Vulnerable is ultimately derived from the Latin noun vulnus ("wound"). "Vulnus" led to the Latin verb vulnerare, meaning "to wound," and then to the Late Latin adjective vulnerabilis, which became "vulnerable" in English in the early 1600s. "Vulnerable" originally meant "capable of being physically wounded" or "having the power to wound" (the latter is now obsolete), but since the late 1600s, it has also been used figuratively to suggest a defenselessness against non-physical attacks. In other words, someone (or something) can be vulnerable to criticism or failure as well as to literal wounding. When it is used figuratively, "vulnerable" is often followed by the preposition "to."

Examples of vulnerable in a Sentence

He was very vulnerable after his divorce. The troops were in a vulnerable position. The fort was undefended and vulnerable.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The Jets have been vulnerable to big plays from wide receivers and could be just what Beckham and Baker Mayfield need to build on their connection. — Phil Thompson, chicagotribune.com, "Fantasy football Week 2 lineups: Start Odell Beckham Jr. and sit David Montgomery," 10 Sep. 2019 Opponents said the 420,000-square-feet project will threaten a sensitive environment, place intense development in an area vulnerable to wildfires and damage the character of the Torrey Highlands area along state Route 56. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "San Diego approves 11-acre office complex despite opposition," 10 Sep. 2019 With virtually no pass rush and Brees picking them apart in the second half, the Texans' defense was extremely vulnerable and contributed heavily to squandering a 14-3 halftime lead. — Aaron Wilson, Houston Chronicle, "Aaron Colvin has rough start to 2nd season with Texans," 9 Sep. 2019 Both have put Hong Kong in a highly vulnerable and dangerous situation. — Mary Hui, Quartz, "The hated extradition bill will finally be gone but Hong Kong鈥檚 protests will keep going," 4 Sep. 2019 Classrooms can be made safer by teaching kids and administrators to reach out to those who are vulnerable and isolated. — Diana Bray, The Denver Post, "Diana Bray: We must deal with the trauma of these mass shootings, too," 4 Sep. 2019 That research showed that the 512-bit version of RSA was vulnerable and that larger 768-bit keys would likely be easily cracked in the next decade. — Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "Snake oil or genius? Crown Sterling tells its side of Black Hat controversy," 29 Aug. 2019 Something to bear in mind as our government of the people inflicts needless cruelties upon the vulnerable and the dispossessed. — Leonard Pitts Jr - Miami Herald, The Mercury News, "Pitts: Does withholding flu shots to detained migrant families constitute evil?," 28 Aug. 2019 Meggie was a fairly new hire and Miller didn鈥檛 have much experience, yet they were left to care for the most vulnerable and seriously ill residents on the second floor, where temperatures soared. — Megan O'matz, sun-sentinel.com, "Bonds set for three employees charged in deaths at sweltering Hollywood nursing home," 27 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vulnerable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of vulnerable

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for vulnerable

Late Latin vulnerabilis, from Latin vulnerare to wound, from vulner-, vulnus wound; probably akin to Latin vellere to pluck, Greek oul膿 wound

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More Definitions for vulnerable

vulnerable

adjective
How to pronounce vulnerable (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of vulnerable

: easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally
: open to attack, harm, or damage

See the full definition for vulnerable in the English Language Learners Dictionary

vulnerable

adjective
vul路​ner路​a路​ble | \ 藞v蓹l-n蓹-r蓹-b蓹l How to pronounce vulnerable (audio) \

Kids Definition of vulnerable

1 : capable of being easily hurt or injured The patient is vulnerable to infection.
2 : open to attack or damage The troops were in a vulnerable position.

vulnerable

adjective
vul路​ner路​a路​ble | \ 藞v蓹ln-(蓹-)r蓹-b蓹l, 藞v蓹l-n蓹r-b蓹l How to pronounce vulnerable (audio) \

Medical Definition of vulnerable

: capable of being hurt : susceptible to injury or disease the liver is itself vulnerable to nutritional impairment — Journal of the American Medical Association

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