vulnerable
gb/vˈʌlnɚəbəl/ us/vˈʌlnɚəbəl/
B2
English
~ 7500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
state
1
easily hurt or upset emotionally
Able to be easily hurt in your feelings; open and sensitive in a way that may cause emotional pain.
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels/is emotionally vulnerable (around/to [someone/something])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "vulnerable" with "weak". "Vulnerable" focuses on the possibility of being hurt, especially emotionally, but it does not always mean lacking strength; people can be strong and still choose to be vulnerable by sharing their feelings.
Synonyms
sensitive (Suggests strong emotional reactions to things; not always negative, but can imply being easily hurt.)
Antonyms
emotionally strong (Describes someone who is not easily upset and can handle emotional difficulties without feeling exposed.)
Collocations
feel vulnerable
|emotionally vulnerable
|vulnerable child
|vulnerable person
|make [someone] feel vulnerable
|leave [someone] feeling vulnerable
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Opening up about her past made her feel incredibly vulnerable.
- He tries to act tough, but he is actually very vulnerable inside.
- Sharing your true feelings can make you vulnerable, but it can also build deeper connections.
- After the breakup, he was too vulnerable to start a new relationship.
- The film shows the actor in a surprisingly vulnerable and honest role.
Learner examples
- After the fight with her friend, she felt very vulnerable.
- He was vulnerable and needed someone to listen to him.
- When I tell you my secrets, I feel vulnerable.
- The little boy looked vulnerable and scared.
- She did not want to be vulnerable in front of her classmates.
adjective
B2
state
2
at risk of harm, damage, or attack
In a situation where it is easy for something bad, such as harm, damage, or attack, to happen to you or to something.
Usage pattern:
[someone]/[something] is vulnerable to [danger/problem]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "vulnerable from" instead of "vulnerable to". Use the pattern: "vulnerable to [danger/problem]", e.g., "vulnerable to attack", "vulnerable to viruses".
Synonyms
exposed (Highlights being open and unprotected against harm or attack; can be physical or figurative.)
Antonyms
protected (Emphasizes being safely guarded so that harm or attack is less likely.)
Collocations
vulnerable to attack
|vulnerable to disease
|vulnerable groups
|vulnerable populations
|vulnerable position
|vulnerable to exploitation
Themes
safety
|health
|society
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The coastal town is vulnerable to flooding during heavy storms.
- Elderly people are especially vulnerable to heatwaves.
- Without proper security, the system is vulnerable to cyberattacks.
- The report warns that low-income families are vulnerable to rising food prices.
- Leaving the door unlocked made the house vulnerable to burglary.
Learner examples
- Children are vulnerable to many common diseases.
- This old bridge is vulnerable to strong winds.
- Without a coat, you are vulnerable to the cold.
- Poor people are vulnerable to small changes in price.
- If you use a weak password, your account is vulnerable to hackers.
adjective
technical
C1
state
3
in bridge, at higher scoring risk
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.
Usage pattern:
[side/team] is vulnerable
Synonyms
at risk (Informal description of the same scoring condition; not a fixed technical term in bridge rules.)
Antonyms
non-vulnerable (The bridge term for the opposite scoring state, with lower bonuses and penalties.)
Collocations
North–South are vulnerable
|both sides vulnerable
|non-vulnerable vs. vulnerable
|vulnerable game bonus
Themes
games
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- We were vulnerable, so bidding the small slam was a bold move.
- North–South are vulnerable on this deal, while East–West are not.
- Because they were vulnerable, their failed contract cost them a heavy penalty.
Learner examples
- In this hand of bridge, our team is vulnerable.
- When you are vulnerable in bridge, a mistake can cost many points.
- The teacher explained how scoring changes when a pair is vulnerable in bridge.
Grammar
Dictionary form
vulnerable
IPA
GB/vˈʌlnɚəbəl/
US/vˈʌlnɚəbəl/
Syllables & stress
vul - ner - able (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (vul)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: vulnerable
Word family
Core family
vulnerability
noun B2
Related words
vulnerably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
invulnerable
adjective
invulnerability
noun
Expressions
emotionally vulnerable
1/ɪmˈoʊʃnəli vˈʌlnɚəbəl/
fixed phrase
easily hurt in one’s feelings
Easily hurt in your feelings; very open and sensitive emotionally.
Examples
- After the accident, he was emotionally vulnerable for a long time.
- Counselors are trained to work with emotionally vulnerable clients.
feel vulnerable
1/fˈil vˈʌlnɚəbəl/
fixed phrase
experience emotional openness and risk
To have the feeling that you can be easily hurt, especially in your emotions.
Examples
- 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
1/lˈiv sˈʌmwˌʌn vˈʌlnɚəbəl/
fixed phrase
put someone in a risky situation
To make someone be in a situation where it is easy for something bad to happen to them.
Examples
- Cutting social services will leave many elderly people vulnerable.
- Sharing your password can leave you vulnerable to identity theft.
make someone vulnerable
1/mˈeɪk sˈʌmwˌʌn vˈʌlnɚəbəl/
fixed phrase
cause someone to be vulnerable
To cause a person to be open to harm or to emotional pain.
Examples
- Losing his job made him vulnerable to debt and stress.
- Speaking honestly can make you vulnerable, but it can also build trust.
vulnerable groups
1/vˈʌlnɚəbəl ɡɹˈups/
fixed phrase
formal
social groups at higher risk
Groups of people who face more danger or problems than others, such as children, the elderly, or the very poor.
Examples
- Government policy should give extra support to vulnerable groups.
- The program aims to protect vulnerable groups from homelessness.
vulnerable populations
1/vˈʌlnɚəbəl pˌɑpjəlˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
formal
populations 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.
Examples
- Public health campaigns must focus on vulnerable populations.
- Climate change will hit vulnerable populations the hardest.
vulnerable position
1/vˈʌlnɚəbəl pəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
situation where harm is likely
A situation where you do not have much power or protection, so something bad can easily happen.
Examples
- 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
1/vˈʌlnɚəbəl tə ətˈæk/
fixed phrase
at risk of being attacked
In a situation where it is easy for someone or something to attack you or it.
Examples
- 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
1/vˈʌlnɚəbəl tə dɪzˈiz/
fixed phrase
at risk of catching disease
More likely than others to get a sickness.
Examples
- Young children are especially vulnerable to disease in crowded conditions.
- Patients with weak immune systems are vulnerable to disease.
vulnerable to exploitation
1/vˈʌlnɚəbəl tə ɪksplˌɔɪtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
at risk of being taken advantage of
In a situation where other people can easily use you in an unfair way.
Examples
- Migrant workers are often vulnerable to exploitation by dishonest employers.
- The charity focuses on people who are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.