vulnerable

vulnerable — adjective

1. describes a person, group, or thing that is not well protected against physical

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes a person, group, or thing that is not well protected against physical injury, emotional pain, criticism, or attack.

Example

After losing her job, Lakshmi felt financially vulnerable and worried about paying rent.

adverb + vulnerable: financially / emotionally / physically

The old castle walls were vulnerable to attack from the south where the forest grew close by.

pattern: vulnerable to + noun (attack / criticism / disease)

Common collocations
  • vulnerable to attack
  • vulnerable to criticism
  • vulnerable position
  • vulnerable group
  • feel vulnerable
  • financially vulnerable
  • emotionally vulnerable
  • physically vulnerable
Synonyms
  • exposed

    focuses on being physically unprotected against something harmful; more concrete than vulnerable

  • susceptible

    emphasises the tendency to be affected, especially by illness or influence; slightly more formal

  • defenceless

    highlights the inability to fight back; stronger emotional tone

  • helpless

    implies a complete lack of ability to protect oneself; more extreme in meaning

Antonyms
  • protected

    suggests having defences or safeguards in place

  • resilient

    emphasises the ability to recover from harm; positive opposite

  • strong

    general opposite that covers physical and emotional toughness

Grammar Patterns

be vulnerable + to + noun phrase

vulnerable + noun

feel vulnerable

Usage Note

Frequently used with the preposition 'to' to specify what causes the risk. The subject can be a person, an organisation, a physical object, or even a system. Also common in the pattern 'feel + vulnerable' to describe an emotional state.

Common Mistakes

She is vulnerable for colds in winter.
She is vulnerable to colds in winter.
Use 'vulnerable to', not 'vulnerable for'.
The system is vulnerable of hackers.
The system is vulnerable to hackers.
The preposition that follows is always 'to', never 'of'.

vulnerable — noun

Word family

  • vulnerability
    nounB2
  • vulnerably
    adverbC1
  • invulnerable
    adjectiveC1
  • invulnerability
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe a state of being open to harm, but they differ in scope and connotation. 'Vulnerable' (the broadest term) covers physical, emotional, financial, and social risks — for example, a community can be vulnerable to both natural disasters and economic changes. 'Exposed' focuses on the physical aspect of being uncovered or unprotected, often from a specific external threat: exposed wires, exposed skin, or an exposed military position. 'Susceptible' is more clinical and narrower, usually referring to illness, influence, or persuasion: someone susceptible to colds or susceptible to peer pressure. 'Defenceless' carries a stronger emotional charge, suggesting a complete inability to fight back or protect oneself — it is often used about children, animals, or victims of violence. 'Fragile' implies internal weakness or delicacy rather than external exposure: a fragile emotional state, fragile bones, or a fragile ecosystem. In everyday use, 'vulnerable' is the safest choice for most contexts because it is the most neutral and widely understood.

exposedsusceptible ↗defenceless ↗fragile ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • at a vulnerable time
  • in a vulnerable position
  • the most vulnerable members of society

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinLate LatinEnglish

The word 'vulnerable' entered English in the early 1600s from Late Latin 'vulnerabilis', which means 'that may be wounded'. This comes from Latin 'vulnerare' (to wound), which in turn comes from 'vulnus' (a wound). The original meaning was purely physical — referring to a body that could be cut or injured — but over time the sense expanded to include emotional, social, and systemic forms of harm. The same Latin root 'vulnus' also gives us 'vulnerability' and the rarely used adjective 'vulnerary' (used for healing wounds).