vulnerable — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. More or most likely to be exposed to the chance of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

   Examples

   More examples (3)

   In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. ‘Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.’

   The elimination of [Roger] Federer after [Rafael] Nadal's loss to Lukas Rosol would have created mild panic among the fans of these gloriously gifted but now clearly vulnerable geniuses.

   One particularly damaging, but often ignored, effect of conflict on education is the proliferation of attacks on schools[…]as children, teachers or school buildings become the targets of attacks. Parents fear sending their children to school. Girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence.

   You are vulnerable to be bullied by someone at school.

2. More or most likely to be exposed to the chance of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally. Open to disclosing one's inner thoughts and feelings, acting in spite of one's instinct to self-preservation.

   Examples

   It's okay to get vulnerable every now and again.

3. More likely to be exposed to malicious programs or viruses.

   Examples

   a vulnerable PC with no antivirus software

4. at moderate risk of extinction though not quite endangered.

   Usage

   • of a language or species

   Examples

   Welsh is merely a vulnerable language, but Irish and Scottish Gaelic are definitely endangered.

Adjective

1. susceptible to attack

   Antonyms

   invulnerable

   Examples

   a vulnerable bridge

2. susceptible to criticism or persuasion or temptation

   Examples

   vulnerable to bribery

   an argument vulnerable to refutation

3. capable of being wounded or hurt

   Examples

   vulnerable parts of the body