Meaning & use
vulnerable
Last updated
Meanings
adjectiveafter a verbmedical
Able to be physically harmed, attacked, damaged, or affected because protection is weak or missing.
Grammar: Common after be, seem, become, and before to: vulnerable to attack.
Patterns
- vulnerable to attack
- vulnerable group
- vulnerable to disease
Old bridges are vulnerable to flood damage.
Young children are especially vulnerable to infection.
The password made the account vulnerable to attack.
adjectiveafter a verb
Easily hurt emotionally or likely to be upset by criticism, rejection, or loss.
Grammar: Often followed by to: vulnerable to criticism; can describe a mood or personality.
Patterns
- feel vulnerable
- vulnerable to criticism
- emotionally vulnerable
She felt vulnerable after moving to a new city.
He became vulnerable to criticism when tired.
Talking about grief made him feel emotionally vulnerable.
Common combinations
- vulnerable to criticism
- New leaders are often vulnerable to criticism.
- vulnerable population
- The program protects a vulnerable population during heat waves.
- feel vulnerable
- After the accident, she began to feel vulnerable at night.
- leave someone vulnerable
- Poor security left customers vulnerable to fraud.
Synonyms and how they differ
- susceptible
- Formal for likely to be affected, especially by disease or influence; vulnerable adds weakness or exposure.
- exposed
- Emphasizes lack of cover or protection; vulnerable often includes risk of harm.
- defenseless
- Stronger: with no ability to defend; vulnerable may still have some protection.
- fragile
- Can be physical or emotional, but often suggests delicacy rather than danger.
Opposites
Word family
- vulnerability noun
- The state of being open to harm, damage, or criticism.
- vulnerably adverb
- In an exposed or easily harmed way; rare in everyday speech.
- invulnerable adjective
- Unable to be harmed or damaged.
Commonly confused: vulnerable or voluntary? vulnerable or valuable?
vulnerable vs voluntary
Voluntary means done by choice; vulnerable means open to harm or hurt.
vulnerable vs valuable
Valuable means worth a lot; vulnerable describes risk, not worth.
Practice
Complete the sentence: Without antivirus software, the computer is ___ to attack.
Choose one answer.
Vulnerable to attack means exposed to harm. Voluntary means chosen, valuable means precious, and visible only means able to be seen.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “vulnerable”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.