Vulnerability

Quick meaning: Vulnerability is a noun meaning (countable) A specific weakness in the protections or defences surrounding someone or something.

Meaning

(countable) A specific weakness in the protections or defences surrounding someone or something.

More Meanings

1. (computing) A weakness which allows an attacker to reduce a system's security.
2. (uncountable) The state of being vulnerable; susceptibility to attack or injury, either physical or emotional; the state or condition of being weak or poorly defended.

Example Sentences

The only disadvantage of timber snow fencing is its extreme vulnerability to fire.

The country recognized their defence vulnerability after an airplane landed in front of the central square without any consequences.

Experts told CNN it could take weeks to address the vulnerabilities and that suspected Chinese hackers are already attempting to exploit it.

Though scientists do not know how stress affects gestation, Fukuda theorizes that the vulnerability of Y-bearing sperm cells, male embryos and/or male fetuses to stress is why “subtle significant changes in sex ratios” occur.

Word Forms

• vulnerabilities

Synonyms for vulnerability

Depending on context, synonyms include vulnerableness, exposure.

Antonyms for vulnerability

Common opposites include invulnerability.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include exposure, frailty, weakened, weakening, debility, weakness.

Related Dictionary Tools