Defenseless
/dɪˈfɛnsləs/
Definitions
Unable to protect oneself or vulnerable to attack.
/dɪˈfɛnsləs/
Lacking protection or the ability to protect oneself.
The children were defenseless against the bully.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing tag and can't run away or hide. Being defenseless is like that - you can't protect yourself from getting 'tagged' (hurt) or being in trouble.
👶 For kids: When you can't protect yourself, you are defenseless, like if you didn't have any toys to play with if someone tried to take them!
More Examples
The animals in the shelter were defenseless without anyone to care for them.
The small town was left defenseless after the national guard withdrew.
She felt defenseless and alone in the crowded room.
How It's Used
"The village was defenseless against the invading army."
"The witness felt defenseless under the aggressive cross-examination."
From "defense" + "-less". "Defense" comes from Old French "défense", meaning "protection" or "prohibition". The suffix "-less" indicates the absence of something.
The word 'defenseless' has been used in English since the late 18th century, originally to describe military and physical vulnerability.
Memory tip
Imagine a person with no shield or weapon. They are defenseless.