Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [dih-fens or especially for 7, 9, dee-fens]
- /dɪˈfɛns or especially for 7, 9, ˈdi fɛns/
- /dɪˈfens.ləs/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [dih-fens or especially for 7, 9, dee-fens]
- /dɪˈfɛns or especially for 7, 9, ˈdi fɛns/
Definitions of defenseless word
- adjective defenseless If someone or something is defenseless, they are weak and unable to defend themselves properly. 3
- adjective defenseless lacking defense; unable to defend oneself; open to attack; helpless; unprotected 3
- noun defenseless resistance against attack; protection: Two more regiments are needed for the defense of the city. 1
- noun defenseless something that defends, as a fortification, physical or mental quality, or medication: This fort was once the main defense of the island. 1
- noun defenseless the defending of a cause or the like by speech, argument, etc.: He spoke in defense of the nation's foreign policy. 1
- noun defenseless a speech, argument, etc., in vindication: She delivered a defense of free enterprise. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of defenseless
First appearance:
before 1250 One of the 11% oldest English words
1250-1300; Middle English < Old French < Late Latin dēfēnsa a forbidding, noun use of feminine of past participle of Latin dēfendere to defend; replacing Middle English defens < Anglo-French, Old French < Medieval Latin defēnsum (thing) forbidden, neuter past participle of Latin dēfendere
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Defenseless
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
defenseless popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 96% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
defenseless usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for defenseless
adj defenseless
- unarmed — without weapons or armor.
- helpless — unable to help oneself; weak or dependent: a helpless invalid.
- unprotected — to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc.; cover or shield from injury or danger.
- caught — Caught is the past tense and past participle of catch.
- indefensible — not justifiable; inexcusable: indefensible behavior.
adjective defenseless
- vulnerable — capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt, as by a weapon: a vulnerable part of the body.
- frail — having delicate health; not robust; weak: My grandfather is rather frail now.
- powerless — unable to produce an effect: a disease against which modern medicine is virtually powerless.
Antonyms for defenseless
adj defenseless
adjective defenseless
- protected — to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc.; cover or shield from injury or danger.
Top questions with defenseless
- show me how defenseless you really are?
- what does defenseless mean?
- tell me how defenseless you really are?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with d
- Words starting with de
- Words starting with def
- Words starting with defe
- Words starting with defen
- Words starting with defens
- Words starting with defense
- Words starting with defensel
- Words starting with defensele
- Words starting with defenseles
- Words starting with defenseless