vulnerable

adjective

vul·​ner·​a·​ble ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce vulnerable (audio)
ˈvəl-nər-bəl
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
vulnerability noun
vulnerableness
ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce vulnerable (audio)
ˈvəl-nər-bəl-
noun
vulnerably
ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-blē How to pronounce vulnerable (audio)
ˈvəl-nər-blē
adverb

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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.
Recent Examples on the Web Without a shield, Trump would be vulnerable to collection starting next week, when his 30 days to post a bond or deposit plus interest with the court before Carroll could collect were set to expire. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 The construction industry, also vulnerable to interest rate hikes, has seen moderate growth at best over the past year, adding 23,000 jobs in February, with certain niches within the market feeling the pinch more than others. Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Biden’s campaign is seeking to hit Trump hard at one of his most vulnerable moments, when the former president may be struggling to consolidate his party after the primary — and as more potentially persuadable voters begin coming to terms with the fact that November really will be a 2020 rematch. Will Weissert, The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2024 In presenting the worst aspects of his most vulnerable self, Reznor’s music edges towards autobiography that would later manifest as a whirlwind of punishing self-reflection. Adam Steiner, SPIN, 8 Mar. 2024 Researchers also looked at which communities are most vulnerable to sinking land and rising seas and found people of color and low-income populations on the Gulf Coast are disproportionately affected by the risk. Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 But deceptively warm late winters and early springs can stir fruit trees into blossoming, and those tender blossoms are then vulnerable to a traditional cold snap — and there's no second chance in a fruit-growing season. Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 Democrats see it as one of the most vulnerable seats to take from republicans. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 But app-delivery companies have countered that laws claiming to protect workers are actually leaving the drivers vulnerable. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vulnerable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vulnerable was circa 1616

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Dictionary Entries Near vulnerable

Cite this Entry

“Vulnerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vulnerable. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vulnerable

adjective
vul·​ner·​a·​ble ˈvəln-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce vulnerable (audio)
ˈvəl-nər-bəl
1
: capable of being physically or emotionally wounded
2
: open to attack or damage
a vulnerable position
vulnerability noun

Medical Definition

vulnerable

adjective
vul·​ner·​a·​ble ˈvəln-(ə-)rə-bəl, ˈvəl-nər-bəl How to pronounce vulnerable (audio)
: capable of being hurt : susceptible to injury or disease
the liver is itself vulnerable to nutritional impairmentJournal of the American Medical Association
vulnerability noun
plural vulnerabilities

More from Merriam-Webster on vulnerable

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