What is another word for defenceless?

Pronunciation: [dɪfˈɛnsləs] (IPA)

Defenceless is a word that is used to describe a situation or a person that is vulnerable or without any protection. There are many synonyms for this word that can be used to convey the same meaning. Some of the most common synonyms for defenceless are unprotected, helpless, vulnerable, powerless, and at risk. Other words that can be used include exposed, defenseless, open, and susceptible. These synonyms can be used interchangeably depending on the context of the sentence and the tone of the writing. Whether describing animals, people, or situations, synonyms for defenceless can help to convey the gravity of the situation.

Synonyms for Defenceless:

What are the paraphrases for Defenceless?

Paraphrases are restatements of text or speech using different words and phrasing to convey the same meaning.
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What are the hypernyms for Defenceless?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.

What are the opposite words for defenceless?

The word "defenceless" is defined as being vulnerable or unprotected. The most common antonym for defenseless is "protected," meaning secured or safeguarded. Other antonyms include "guarded," meaning cautious or watchful, and "fortified," meaning strengthened or fortified against possible threats. "Armed" is another antonym for defenceless, meaning equipped with weapons or tools for self-defense. Finally, "prepared" is an antonym, meaning ready for any eventuality or situation. These antonyms reflect the opposite meaning of defenceless, indicating something that is protected, guarded, or equipped to fend off potential danger or harm.

What are the antonyms for Defenceless?

Usage examples for Defenceless

How awful to think, to see, that such a woman as Athena Maule, so kind, so gentle, so generous, so-so lovely and so defenceless, was subject to this young man's insolence.
"Jane Oglander"
Marie Belloc Lowndes
She felt suddenly defenceless against a form of attack she had not expected from her friend.
"Jane Oglander"
Marie Belloc Lowndes
It is my bodily weakness which in case of need could not find shelter behind a stout heart, which leaves me defenceless.
"The Dead Lake and Other Tales"
Paul Heyse

Famous quotes with Defenceless

  • The human race's prospects of survival were considerably better when we were defenceless against tigers than they are today when we have become defenceless against ourselves.
    Arnold J. Toynbee
  • So as a prince is forced to know how to act like a beast, he must learn from the fox and the lion; becouse the lion is defenceless against traps and the fox is defenceless against wolves. Therefore one must be a fox in order to recognise traps and lion to frighten off wolves.
    Niccollo Machavelli
  • Poverty of body in itself mattered nothing; what Francis wanted was poverty of pride, and the external robe or the bare feet were outward and necessary forms of protection against its outward display. Against riches or against all external and visible vanity, rules and laws could be easily enforced if it were worth while, although the purest humility would be reached only by those who were indifferent and unconscious of their external dress; but against spiritual pride the soul is defenceless, and of all its forms the subtlest and the meanest is pride of intellect. [...] Lord Bacon held much the same opinion. [..:] "Let men please themselves as they will in admiring and almost adoring the human mind, this is certain:— that, as an uneven mirror distorts the rays of objects according to its own figure and section, so the mind … cannot be trusted ..." Bacon's first object was the same as that of Francis, to humiliate and if possible destroy the pride of human reason; both of them knew that this was their most difficult task.
    Henry Adams
  • Man, no doubt, owes many other duties to his fellow men; such as to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, care for the sick, protect the defenceless, assist the weak, and enlighten the ignorant.  But these are simply duties, of which each man must be his own judge, in each particular case, as to whether, and how, and how far, he can, or will, perform them.  But of his duty—that is, of his duty to live honestly towards his fellow men—his fellow men not only judge, but, for their own protection, judge.  And, if need be, they may rightfully him to perform it.  They may do this, acting singly, or in concert.  They may do it on the instant, as the necessity arises, or deliberately and systematically, if they prefer to do so, and the exigency will admit of it.
    Lysander Spooner
  • How important it is, then, that the child be taught to govern its passions! How important that it be taught to be kind, gentle, loving, and humane; and in all the range of human thought there is not a better, wiser, or more expedient way of accomplishing this end than by teaching kindness towards God's lower creatures. If children are thus taught they will have instilled into their hearts those principles of action which will make them kind and merciful not only to the lower animals, but also toward their fellow-men as they attain to manhood. Let them be taught that the lower animals are God's creatures, as they themselves are, put here by a common Heavenly Father, each for its own special purpose, . Let them be taught that principle recognised by all noble-hearted men, that it is only a depraved, debased, and cowardly nature that will injure an inferior, defenceless creature, simply because it is in its power to do so, and that there is no better, no grander test of true bravery and nobility of character than one's treatment of the lower animals.
    Ralph Waldo Trine

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