1
Core quality
Open or susceptible to physical, emotional, economic, or strategic harm or attack.
Example
Young seedlings are vulnerable to frost.
vulnerable
/ˈvʌlnərəbəl/ · VUL-nuh-ruh-buladjective
Open or susceptible to physical, emotional, economic, or strategic harm or attack.
Use vulnerable to express this relationship precisely: open or susceptible to physical, emotional, economic, or strategic harm or attack.
What vulnerable Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
The outdated software is vulnerable to attack.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The policy protects households most vulnerable to price shocks.
Use vulnerable Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Young seedlings are vulnerable to frost.
The outdated software is vulnerable to attack.
The policy protects households most vulnerable to price shocks.
Precision Matters
Vulnerable overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
vulnerable
vs.Means open or susceptible to physical, emotional, economic, or strategic harm or attack.
impervious
Means unable to be penetrated, affected, influenced, or harmed by something.
vulnerable
vs.Means open or susceptible to physical, emotional, economic, or strategic harm or attack.
resilient
Means capable of recovering quickly from difficulty, damage, or change.
vulnerable
vs.Means open or susceptible to physical, emotional, economic, or strategic harm or attack.
hostile
Means unfriendly, antagonistic, or openly opposed; harmful or unfavourable to something.
vulnerable
vs.Means open or susceptible to physical, emotional, economic, or strategic harm or attack.
inimical
Means hostile, opposed, or tending to obstruct, damage, or prevent something.
Test vulnerable in Context
It is exposed and susceptible to damage.
1
Without its protective coating, the metal is ___ to corrosion.