as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
the cowardly soldiers fled, leaving the palace undefended
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of undefended
Zelensky said Kursk was a major strategy in the war effort, with the aim being to divert Russian troops from the main fighting in eastern Ukraine while also taking prisoners, destroying Russia’s military assets and proving Moscow was undefended.
—
Brad Dress, The Hill, 5 Jan. 2025
With European powers diverting men and supplies to Europe in 1939-41 to battle Nazi Germany, colonies in the Pacific were mostly undefended.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 5 Dec. 2024
In the north, Darwin was facing near-weekly bombing raids from Japanese bases on Timor and surrounding islands, and thousands of miles of tropical coastline were uninhabited and undefended.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024
The whine of mosquitoes probing for just one millimeter of flesh undefended by DEET was constant, set off by a counterpoint buzz of horseflies circling my head.
—Rusty Foster, Washington Post, 23 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for undefended
Brad Dress, The Hill, 5 Jan. 2025
With European powers diverting men and supplies to Europe in 1939-41 to battle Nazi Germany, colonies in the Pacific were mostly undefended.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 5 Dec. 2024
In the north, Darwin was facing near-weekly bombing raids from Japanese bases on Timor and surrounding islands, and thousands of miles of tropical coastline were uninhabited and undefended.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024
The whine of mosquitoes probing for just one millimeter of flesh undefended by DEET was constant, set off by a counterpoint buzz of horseflies circling my head.
—Rusty Foster, Washington Post, 23 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for undefended
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undefended
Adjective
-
If a redraw goes forward, the most vulnerable House incumbents would be Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) in the southwestern 3rd Congressional District and Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) in the southeastern 1st Congressional District.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2025
-
In cities, armored units are often funneled into narrow streets and become vulnerable to attacks from above.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Yet the Rocket have been outscored 15-4 through three games, looking helpless against a Checkers team that has gotten red hot at exactly the right time.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
1 June 2025
-
From the dugout at San Siro, Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco were helpless.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Insulated pots can also provide a bit of extra protection for root systems that can be susceptible to extreme temperature swings, Vater says.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
2 June 2025
-
Most aren’t susceptible to personal appeals with no payback.—
Stephen Collinson,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Until recently, most insurance companies followed the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s definition for fertility, which defined infertility as a condition in which heterosexual couples couldn’t conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
-
Thick smoke can block out the sun and wreak havoc on anyone outdoors with unprotected eyes, noses and throats.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undefended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undefended. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share