Vulnerable
adjective
Someone or something that could be harmed easily.
Children are often seen as the most vulnerable members of society.
Often appears as...
- vulnerable to attack
- vulnerable position
adjective
A person who is easily hurt or damaged emotionally.
She was feeling very vulnerable after her divorce.
Often appears as...
- emotionally vulnerable
- psychologically vulnerable
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
adjective
A system or network which can be attacked or harmed by a virus or hacker.
The computer system is vulnerable to attack without updated anti-virus software.
Often appears as...
- vulnerable to hacking
- vulnerable software
Usage tips
Technical
adjective
An area or position which is easily targeted or attacked.
The fortress has a vulnerable western front.
Often appears as...
- vulnerable spot
- vulnerable flank
Usage tips
Technical
adjective
Someone or something that could be harmed easily.
Children are often seen as the most vulnerable members of society.
Often appears as...
- vulnerable to attack
- vulnerable position
adjective
A person who is easily hurt or damaged emotionally.
She was feeling very vulnerable after her divorce.
Often appears as...
- emotionally vulnerable
- psychologically vulnerable
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
adjective
A system or network which can be attacked or harmed by a virus or hacker.
The computer system is vulnerable to attack without updated anti-virus software.
Often appears as...
- vulnerable to hacking
- vulnerable software
Usage tips
Technical
adjective
An area or position which is easily targeted or attacked.
The fortress has a vulnerable western front.
Often appears as...
- vulnerable spot
- vulnerable flank
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Impact
'Vulnerable' often evokes sympathy; it suggests someone can be hurt easily.
The homeless are particularly vulnerable during cold winters.
Pro Tip 2/3Connotation of Weakness
It implies a weakness or lack of protection, not just physical, but in various situations.
As a small company, we're vulnerable in a market dominated by giants.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-literal Use
Used metaphorically, it can describe something threatened, not physically weak.
This policy leaves our environmental laws vulnerable.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Impact
'Vulnerable' often evokes sympathy; it suggests someone can be hurt easily.
The homeless are particularly vulnerable during cold winters.
Pro Tip 2/3Connotation of Weakness
It implies a weakness or lack of protection, not just physical, but in various situations.
As a small company, we're vulnerable in a market dominated by giants.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-literal Use
Used metaphorically, it can describe something threatened, not physically weak.
This policy leaves our environmental laws vulnerable.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Impact
'Vulnerable' often evokes sympathy; it suggests someone can be hurt easily.
The homeless are particularly vulnerable during cold winters.
Pro Tip 2/3Connotation of Weakness
It implies a weakness or lack of protection, not just physical, but in various situations.
As a small company, we're vulnerable in a market dominated by giants.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-literal Use
Used metaphorically, it can describe something threatened, not physically weak.
This policy leaves our environmental laws vulnerable.
Compare with
endangerexposefragilehelplessimpressionableopensensitivesusceptibleunarmedunprotectedweak
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Video examples
Will the ocean ever run...
Soon it was popping up in markets all over the world and is now a delicacy. Unfortunately, these deep water fish don't reproduce until they're at least ten years old, making them extremely vulnerable to overfishing when the young are caught before they've had the chance to spawn. Consumer taste and prices can also have harmful effects.
Video examples
The right brain vs. left...
TED talk happened I was allowed to be vulnerable I opened my heart I went out on the limb in that presentation and this organization you held me in that beautiful space of safety and together we made what that TED talk became and I will always be eternally grateful because my life has changed it's given
Video examples
The psychology of...
like reaching their full potential, or helping make people's lives better. But narcissistic individuals seek power for the status and attention that goes with it. Meanwhile, vulnerable narcissists can be quiet and reserved. They have a strong sense of entitlement, but are easily threatened or slighted.
Video examples
The Survival of the Sea...
Various fish, dolphins, sharks, and sea birds, as the young turtles come to the surface for air. For their first few days of life, should they count themselves amongst the living, the vulnerable turtles swim frantically forward. Ultimately, they will often look to settle in a patch of flotsam,
Video examples
Adorable Tiger Cub...
the cubs will be vulnerable to illness until they're around six weeks old so giles has got to keep a close eye on them round the clock there is an awful lot of pressure you know this first and foremost you know there's pressure because these guys are so important to not only
Video examples
What does it mean to be...
and is often related to war and violence. Today, roughly half the world's refugees are children, some of them unaccompanied by an adult, a situation that makes them especially vulnerable to child labor or sexual exploitation.
Video examples
5 Amazing Animal...
they are easy targets for predators but with young pups to protect they take greater risks by climbing higher here they can see predators earlier but are vulnerable to birds of prey their self-sacrifice is about to be tested
Video examples
Shark Island is...
on the planet earning it the nickname shark island but even in this remote refuge sharks are vulnerable to a greater predator overfishing is depleting ocean resources worldwide so commercial fishermen travel from as far
Video examples
Why is biodiversity so...
Our planet's diverse thriving ecosystems may seem like permanent fixtures, but they're actually vulnerable to collapse. Jungles can become deserts, and reefs can become lifeless rocks,
Video examples
Kailash Satyarthi: How...
Gandhi fought and lead India's freedom movement. But more importantly, he taught us how to treat the most vulnerable sections, the most deprived people, with dignity and respect.
Video examples
Will the ocean ever run...
Soon it was popping up in markets all over the world and is now a delicacy. Unfortunately, these deep water fish don't reproduce until they're at least ten years old, making them extremely vulnerable to overfishing when the young are caught before they've had the chance to spawn. Consumer taste and prices can also have harmful effects.
Video examples
The right brain vs. left...
TED talk happened I was allowed to be vulnerable I opened my heart I went out on the limb in that presentation and this organization you held me in that beautiful space of safety and together we made what that TED talk became and I will always be eternally grateful because my life has changed it's given
Video examples
The psychology of...
like reaching their full potential, or helping make people's lives better. But narcissistic individuals seek power for the status and attention that goes with it. Meanwhile, vulnerable narcissists can be quiet and reserved. They have a strong sense of entitlement, but are easily threatened or slighted.
Video examples
The Survival of the Sea...
Various fish, dolphins, sharks, and sea birds, as the young turtles come to the surface for air. For their first few days of life, should they count themselves amongst the living, the vulnerable turtles swim frantically forward. Ultimately, they will often look to settle in a patch of flotsam,
Video examples
Adorable Tiger Cub...
the cubs will be vulnerable to illness until they're around six weeks old so giles has got to keep a close eye on them round the clock there is an awful lot of pressure you know this first and foremost you know there's pressure because these guys are so important to not only
Video examples
What does it mean to be...
and is often related to war and violence. Today, roughly half the world's refugees are children, some of them unaccompanied by an adult, a situation that makes them especially vulnerable to child labor or sexual exploitation.
Video examples
5 Amazing Animal...
they are easy targets for predators but with young pups to protect they take greater risks by climbing higher here they can see predators earlier but are vulnerable to birds of prey their self-sacrifice is about to be tested
Video examples
Shark Island is...
on the planet earning it the nickname shark island but even in this remote refuge sharks are vulnerable to a greater predator overfishing is depleting ocean resources worldwide so commercial fishermen travel from as far
Video examples
Why is biodiversity so...
Our planet's diverse thriving ecosystems may seem like permanent fixtures, but they're actually vulnerable to collapse. Jungles can become deserts, and reefs can become lifeless rocks,
Video examples
Kailash Satyarthi: How...
Gandhi fought and lead India's freedom movement. But more importantly, he taught us how to treat the most vulnerable sections, the most deprived people, with dignity and respect.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Forest Whitaker
American Actor
I want a director who can let me feel that he's listening and watching and that he's got me covered. That security is really important for me because sometimes you go into a vulnerable space, and you want to be able to look to somebody because you get insecure: 'Did I do that right?
Quote examples
Brene Brown
American Author
The difficult thing is that vulnerability is the first thing I look for in you and the last thing I'm willing to show you. In you, it's courage and daring. In me, it's weakness.
Quote examples
Eve Torres
American Actress
If you see a woman who is struggling with bags or looks struggling in general, help her. Don't leave her vulnerable to someone else.
Quote examples
Glennon Doyle Melton
American Author
We can be shiny and perfect and admired, or we can be real and honest and vulnerable and loved. But we actually do have to choose.
Quote examples
Fabio Lanzoni
Italian Actor
When you know you're vulnerable, and you know... your strength and your weakness, you can see life with better perspective.
Quote examples
Melissa Leong
I think it's important to be vulnerable and to pay attention to your emotions.
Quote examples
Tommy Chong
Canadian Actor
They just wanted to show the entertainment world that we're vulnerable.
Quote examples
Glenn Close
American Actress
We have to be vulnerable as actors, but we have to protect ourselves.
Quote examples
Trenton Lee Stewart
American Author
I tend to find characters who lack vulnerability dull.
Quote examples
Gabriella Wilson
American Musician
Living my truth was very hard - I felt vulnerable.
Quote examples
Forest Whitaker
American Actor
I want a director who can let me feel that he's listening and watching and that he's got me covered. That security is really important for me because sometimes you go into a vulnerable space, and you want to be able to look to somebody because you get insecure: 'Did I do that right?
Quote examples
Brene Brown
American Author
The difficult thing is that vulnerability is the first thing I look for in you and the last thing I'm willing to show you. In you, it's courage and daring. In me, it's weakness.
Quote examples
Eve Torres
American Actress
If you see a woman who is struggling with bags or looks struggling in general, help her. Don't leave her vulnerable to someone else.
Quote examples
Glennon Doyle Melton
American Author
We can be shiny and perfect and admired, or we can be real and honest and vulnerable and loved. But we actually do have to choose.
Quote examples
Fabio Lanzoni
Italian Actor
When you know you're vulnerable, and you know... your strength and your weakness, you can see life with better perspective.
Quote examples
Melissa Leong
I think it's important to be vulnerable and to pay attention to your emotions.
Quote examples
Tommy Chong
Canadian Actor
They just wanted to show the entertainment world that we're vulnerable.
Quote examples
Glenn Close
American Actress
We have to be vulnerable as actors, but we have to protect ourselves.
Quote examples
Trenton Lee Stewart
American Author
I tend to find characters who lack vulnerability dull.
Quote examples
Gabriella Wilson
American Musician
Living my truth was very hard - I felt vulnerable.
Example 1 of 10
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