heightened vulnerability

USAGE SUMMARY

"heightened vulnerability" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of increased susceptibility or weakness. Example: The recent economic crisis has caused a heightened vulnerability among small business owners, who are struggling to stay afloat.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The move to theater‐nuclear forces today, then, represents a 20‐year step backward and a step toward heightened vulnerability.

The New York Times

(RS) *Effgen, G.B. and Morrison III, B., Electrophysiological and pathological characterization of the period of heightened vulnerability to repetitive injury in an in vitro stretch model.

Columbia University

Alphonse Maddin, it should be said, is black – like so many of the workers of color who experience heightened vulnerability to premature death on their jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Similarly, neuroimaging research by CLBB faculty (Somerville, 2010) clarifies that it is teenagers' heightened vulnerability to reward that drives risky behavior, contrary to longstanding beliefs that teenagers are unable to gauge risks.

Harvard University

Rapidly expanding international tourism stimulated extensive development in services, although it has heightened vulnerability to global economic downturns, and the impact of large numbers of tourist arrivals placed strains on facilities and the environment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Women's and girls' heightened vulnerability to HIV goes far beyond physiology: it is intricately linked to entrenched gender inequalities, harmful gender norms, and structures of patriarchy that limit women and girls from reaching their full potential and leave them vulnerable to HIV," says the report.

The Guardian

Older new mothers experience higher maternal mortality rates, and for black women already at risk, those who have pregnancies past-35 years old have heightened vulnerability.

Huffington Post

Iran insisted on muscling its way into Afghanistan and Iraq during periods of heightened vulnerability the way it had done previously in Palestine and Lebanon.

Huffington Post

The international community must acknowledge their heightened vulnerability and invest in their care and protection if we hope to overcome societal inequalities and sustainably eradicate poverty.

HuffPost

The adolescent years, in particular, are a period of heightened vulnerability to reckless behavior that occurs despite the fact that adolescents are more cognitively mature than children [2].

Plosone

Any single population that successfully reduces its burden of drug-susceptible TB will have reduced herd immunity to externally or internally introduced strains of MDR-TB and can experience heightened vulnerability to an epidemic.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing populations or groups, be specific about the factors contributing to their "heightened vulnerability". For instance, instead of saying "children are at heightened vulnerability", specify "children are at heightened vulnerability to environmental toxins due to their developing systems".

Common error

Avoid using "heightened vulnerability" without providing context or specific reasons. Instead of stating that a group has "heightened vulnerability", clarify the particular threats or circumstances that make them more vulnerable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heightened vulnerability" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "heightened" modifies "vulnerability." As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly describes a state of increased susceptibility. Examples show its use across diverse contexts, functioning to identify and categorize specific states or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "heightened vulnerability" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe an increased state of susceptibility or risk. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is correct and common across various domains, especially science, news and media. The phrase is generally considered neutral to formal in register, with its specific meaning and implications varying depending on the context. When using "heightened vulnerability", it's crucial to provide specific details about the factors contributing to the increased susceptibility and avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives such as "increased susceptibility" or "elevated risk" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increased susceptibility

Replaces "vulnerability" with "susceptibility", focusing on the capacity to be affected.

greater susceptibility

Combines "greater" with "susceptibility" for emphasis.

elevated risk

Substitutes "vulnerability" with "risk", shifting the focus to the probability of harm.

greater exposure

Highlights the increased contact with potential threats or dangers.

heightened sensitivity

Focuses on increased responsiveness to stimuli, which can imply vulnerability in certain contexts.

increased fragility

Replaces "vulnerability" with "fragility", stressing the ease of being damaged.

increased weakness

Emphasizes a reduction in strength or resistance.

reduced resilience

Highlights the diminished ability to recover from difficulties.

exposed position

Suggests a lack of protection or defense.

compromised state

Highlights a weakened or impaired condition.

FAQs

How can I use "heightened vulnerability" in a sentence?

You can use "heightened vulnerability" to describe a state of increased susceptibility or risk. For example: "The economic downturn has led to "heightened vulnerability" among small business owners."

What are some alternatives to "heightened vulnerability"?

Alternatives include "increased susceptibility", "elevated risk", or "greater exposure", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "heightened vulnerability" or "increased vulnerability"?

Both "heightened vulnerability" and "increased vulnerability" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific tone you wish to convey. "Heightened" might imply a more acute or significant increase.

What factors contribute to a state of "heightened vulnerability"?

Factors contributing to "heightened vulnerability" can include economic hardship, social inequality, environmental hazards, lack of access to resources, and physical or mental health conditions. The specific factors depend on the context in which "heightened vulnerability" is being discussed.