defenceless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defenceless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is unable to defend itself or is vulnerable to harm. Example: "The defenceless animal was rescued from the side of the road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If the government does this to other states, which might have the capacity to detect its spying and which certainly have the means to object to it, what is it doing to defenceless citizens?

The Guardian - Opinion

India, he thought, was now defenceless.

The Economist

They are defenceless.

The Economist

These acts of terror require some resources, but no high degree of training since targets chosen are defenceless such as the British tourists lying on a beach in Tunisia or the people in Paris who were murdered as they attended a rock concert.

Independent

He asked Congolese soldiers and police to "protect citizens and not to obey perverse orders aimed at killing defenceless men and women".

The Guardian

By looking on passively upon this murder of defenceless millions of tortured children, women and men they have become partners to the responsibility".

The Guardian

"Bishops and priests, religious women and men, the elderly and even defenceless children and the infirm were murdered," the pope said.

The Guardian

And both balk at the plan for tax cuts aimed at the better off while the defenceless are being punished.

The Guardian - Business

"We are no longer prepared to actively participate in discussions which are inevitably leading to the destruction of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, which will leave the province, its people and mainland Britain, open and defenceless against militant republicanism.

The Guardian

Yet despite her gift for discovering what was defenceless in other people, finding the chink in their armour, Jane was exceptionally private.

The Guardian - Arts

He added: "The murder of any human being is always a tragedy, the murder of a defenceless child of any age, the more so.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defenceless", consider the specific type of protection that is lacking. For example, is it physical protection, legal protection, or something else? This will help you choose the most accurate and impactful word.

Common error

Avoid using "defenceless" excessively in emotionally charged writing, as it can come across as manipulative or overly sentimental. Opt for a more neutral term like "vulnerable" or "unprotected" to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "defenceless" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a state of lacking protection or the ability to defend oneself. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showcasing its consistent application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defenceless" functions as an adjective used to describe a lack of protection or means of defense. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. It carries a neutral to formal tone and is used to highlight vulnerability. Alternative phrases like "unprotected" or "vulnerable" can be considered depending on the desired nuance. When using "defenceless", remember to be mindful of the emotional impact of the word and consider the specific type of protection that is lacking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defenseless

A direct synonym with a slightly different spelling, mainly in American English.

unprotected

Emphasizes the lack of physical or systemic safeguards.

vulnerable

Highlights susceptibility to physical or emotional harm.

helpless

Focuses on the inability to act or defend oneself.

unguarded

Implies a lack of vigilance or watchfulness.

exposed

Stresses the lack of cover or concealment from danger.

powerless

Indicates a lack of authority or strength to resist.

at risk

Highlights the presence of potential danger or harm.

susceptible

Emphasizes a predisposition to being affected negatively.

liable

Indicates a high probability of experiencing something negative.

FAQs

How is "defenceless" used in a sentence?

The word "defenceless" describes someone or something lacking the means to protect themselves. For example, "The "defenceless animal" was easily captured by the predator."

What are synonyms for "defenceless"?

Alternatives to "defenceless" include "vulnerable", "helpless", and "unprotected", each carrying slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Is "defenceless" the same as "defenseless"?

"Defenceless" and "defenseless" are the same, but the first is mainly used in British English and the second mainly in American English. Both mean lacking protection or the ability to defend oneself.

When is it best to use "defenceless" over other similar words?

Use "defenceless" when you want to emphasize the complete absence of any means of defence. It's stronger than "vulnerable", which suggests a weakness that could be exploited.