vulnerable
Able to be easily hurt in your feelings; open and sensitive in a way that may cause emotional pain.
Easily hurt or deeply affected by criticism, rejection, or emotional pain, often because of openness or sensitivity.
In a situation where it is easy for something bad, such as harm, damage, or attack, to happen to you or to something.
Exposed in a way that makes harm, damage, or attack likely or easier, whether for people, groups, places, systems, or situations.
In the game bridge, having a score condition where you get more points if you win a contract but lose more points if you fail.
In the card game contract bridge, being in a scoring state in which bonuses for making a contract and penalties for failing are both increased.
- Base: vulnerable
emotionally vulnerable
1easily hurt in one’s feelings
Easily hurt in your feelings; very open and sensitive emotionally.
- After the accident, he was emotionally vulnerable for a long time.
- Counselors are trained to work with emotionally vulnerable clients.
feel vulnerable
1experience emotional openness and risk
To have the feeling that you can be easily hurt, especially in your emotions.
- She often feels vulnerable when talking about her childhood.
- I feel vulnerable when I have to speak in front of a large group.
leave someone vulnerable
1put someone in a risky situation
To make someone be in a situation where it is easy for something bad to happen to them.
- Cutting social services will leave many elderly people vulnerable.
- Sharing your password can leave you vulnerable to identity theft.
make someone vulnerable
1cause someone to be vulnerable
To cause a person to be open to harm or to emotional pain.
- Losing his job made him vulnerable to debt and stress.
- Speaking honestly can make you vulnerable, but it can also build trust.
vulnerable groups
1social groups at higher risk
Groups of people who face more danger or problems than others, such as children, the elderly, or the very poor.
- Government policy should give extra support to vulnerable groups.
- The program aims to protect vulnerable groups from homelessness.
vulnerable populations
1populations facing high social or health risk
Large groups of people, often in a country or region, who have a higher chance of getting sick, being poor, or being hurt.
- Public health campaigns must focus on vulnerable populations.
- Climate change will hit vulnerable populations the hardest.
vulnerable position
1situation where harm is likely
A situation where you do not have much power or protection, so something bad can easily happen.
- Accepting the short-term contract put her in a vulnerable position at work.
- Without legal advice, he was in a vulnerable position during the negotiations.
vulnerable to attack
1at risk of being attacked
In a situation where it is easy for someone or something to attack you or it.
- Without air defenses, the city is vulnerable to attack from the air.
- The report found that the old network was vulnerable to attack by hackers.
vulnerable to disease
1at risk of catching disease
More likely than others to get a sickness.
- Young children are especially vulnerable to disease in crowded conditions.
- Patients with weak immune systems are vulnerable to disease.
vulnerable to exploitation
1at risk of being taken advantage of
In a situation where other people can easily use you in an unfair way.
- Migrant workers are often vulnerable to exploitation by dishonest employers.
- The charity focuses on people who are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.