defenceless
Unable to resist
Defenceless means without defence—unable to protect oneself or resist attack.
A defenceless animal or child is vulnerable, easy prey.
The word often emphasizes the moral dimension of harming someone who cannot fight back: attacking defenceless civilians.
Defenceless can also describe positions or arguments that cannot be defended: The company's legal position was defenceless.
The American spelling is defenseless.
Without safeguard or shield
- unguardedWithout protection or caution
- unshieldedLacking protective barrier
- uncoveredMade visible or known
- bareLacking any covering
open · unsheltered · unfortified · vulnerable · naked · accessible · out in the open · revealed
Lacking strength or authority
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- weakLacking power or force
- feebleWeak and ineffective
- impotentLacking power or efficacy
incapable · unaided · unsupported · abandoned · stranded · forlorn · dependent · at the mercy of
Easily influenced or harmed
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- assailableOpen to attack
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
at-risk · unsafe · precarious · insecure · unresistant · pregnable · attackable · in danger
Having no arms
- disarmedMade safe or captivated
- unequippedLacking necessary tools
- barehandedWithout hand covering
- civilianNon-military person
noncombatant · pacifist · nonviolent · peaceful · demilitarized · gunless · unloaded · surrendered
unprotected
Without safeguard or shield
- unguardedWithout protection or caution
- unshieldedLacking protective barrier
- uncoveredMade visible or known
bare · open · unsheltered · unfortified · vulnerable · naked · accessible · out in the open · revealed · unsealed
powerless
Lacking strength or authority
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- weakLacking power or force
- feebleWeak and ineffective
impotent · incapable · unaided · unsupported · abandoned · stranded · forlorn · dependent · at the mercy of · overwhelmed
susceptible
Easily influenced or harmed
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- assailableOpen to attack
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
threatened · at-risk · unsafe · precarious · insecure · unresistant · pregnable · attackable · in danger · imperiled
weaponless
Having no arms
- disarmedMade safe or captivated
- unequippedLacking necessary tools
- barehandedWithout hand covering
civilian · noncombatant · pacifist · nonviolent · peaceful · demilitarized · gunless · unloaded · surrendered · hands up
defencelessinvulnerable
Immune to all harm
invincible · impregnable · resilient · impervious · immune