Vulnerability — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl/ vul·ner·a·ble

Meaning & Definition of Vulnerability

Vulnerability (adjective)

  1. capable of being easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally
  2. open to attack, harm, or damage, assailable
  3. liable to increased penalties but entitled to increased bonuses after winning a game in contract bridge

Vulnerability (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the quality or state of having little resistance to some outside agent

    "vulnerability to infection"

    similar: defenselessness, susceptibility, weakness
    related: helplessness, powerlessness, passiveness, passivity, feebleness, frailness, frailty, infirmity, exposure, liability, openness, predisposition, proneness, sensitivity, receptiveness, receptivity, easiness, gullibility, naïveté, credulity, credulousness
    opposite: invulnerability
    near: immunity, impenetrability, indomitability, indomitableness, invincibility

  2. the state of being left without shelter or protection against something harmful

    "the vulnerability of the car to vandalism when it's parked on the street"

    similar: exposure, liability, openness
    related: predisposition, susceptibility, defenselessness, helplessness, weakness, danger, jeopardy, peril, risk
    near: protection, safeguarding, sheltering, shielding

Related Entry: Vulnerable (adjective)

Vulnerable is a different word from Vulnerability. The synonyms below are for vulnerable, not for vulnerability.

  1. being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm

    "I'm vulnerable to sunburn whenever I go out in the sun"

    similar: endangered, exposed, liable, open, sensitive, subject (to), susceptible, at risk, in deep water, in jeopardy
    related: likely, prone, uncovered, undefended, unguarded, unprotected, unscreened, unsecured
    opposite: insusceptible, invulnerable, unexposed, unsusceptible
    near: covered, guarded, protected, safeguarded, screened, secured, sheltered, shielded, warded

  2. lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack

    "vulnerable baby chicks"

    similar: defenseless, exposed, helpless, susceptible, undefended, unguarded, unprotected, unresistant, in the lurch
    related: indefensible, untenable, uncovered, unsafe, overcome, preyed (on or upon), disarmed, passive, resistless, unarmed, feeble, frail, weak, abandoned, high and dry, marooned
    opposite: guarded, invulnerable, protected, resistant, shielded
    near: defensible, covered, fortified, safe, screened, secure, sheltered, armed, armored, immune, impenetrable, impregnable, invincible, strong, unassailable, unbeatable, unconquerable, almighty, omnipotent

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Vulnerability

The most common words with a similar meaning to Vulnerability:

defenselessness, susceptibility, weakness, exposure, liability, openness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Vulnerability

Words with the opposite meaning of Vulnerability:

invulnerability

Related Words for Vulnerability

helplessness, powerlessness, passiveness, passivity, feebleness, frailness, frailty, infirmity, predisposition, proneness, sensitivity, receptiveness, receptivity, easiness, gullibility, naïveté, credulity, credulousness, danger, jeopardy, peril, risk

Near Antonyms of Vulnerability

immunity, impenetrability, indomitability, indomitableness, invincibility, protection, safeguarding, sheltering, shielding

Word Forms of Vulnerability

Derived words: vulnerability (noun), vulnerableness (noun), vulnerably (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Vulnerability

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

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Vulnerability

Frequently Asked Questions about Vulnerability

What does "Vulnerability" mean?

"Vulnerability" means capable of being easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: capable of being easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Vulnerability"?

Other words for "Vulnerability" include defenselessness, susceptibility, weakness, exposure, liability and openness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Vulnerability" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Vulnerability"?

There are 28 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Vulnerability". Common alternatives include defenselessness, susceptibility, weakness, exposure, liability and openness.

What is the opposite of "Vulnerability"?

Antonyms of "Vulnerability" include invulnerability. Near antonyms include immunity, impenetrability, indomitability and indomitableness.

How do you use "Vulnerability" in a sentence?

Examples of "Vulnerability" in a sentence: "vulnerability to infection"; "the vulnerability of the car to vandalism when it's parked on the street".

Is "Vulnerability" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Vulnerability" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Vulnerability" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Vulnerability" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Vulnerability"?

"Vulnerability" is pronounced /ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl/ and divided into syllables as vul·ner·a·ble.