vulnerableness

vul·ner·a·ble

(vŭl′nər-ə-bəl)

adj.

a. Susceptible to physical harm or damage: trees that are vulnerable to insects;

b. Susceptible to emotional injury, especially in being easily hurt: a lonely child who is vulnerable to teasing.

c. Susceptible to attack: "We are vulnerable both by water and land, without either fleet or army" (Alexander Hamilton).

d. Open to censure or criticism; assailable: The mayor is vulnerable to criticism on the issue.

2. Games In a position to receive greater penalties or bonuses in a hand of bridge. In a rubber, used of the pair of players who score 100 points toward game.

[Late Latin vulnerābilis, wounding, from Latin vulnerāre, to wound, from vulnus, vulner-, wound; see welə- in Indo-European roots.]

vul′ner·a·bil′i·ty, vul′ner·a·ble·ness n.

vul′ner·a·bly adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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vulnerableness

noun

The condition of being laid open to something undesirable or injurious:

exposure, liability, openness, susceptibility, susceptibleness, vulnerability.

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References in periodicals archive ?

Such risks influence employers in determining ways to confine their vulnerableness to imminent allegations.

THE #METOO SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN, SEXUALIZED FORMS OF MALE CONTROL, AND THE FAILURE OF CURRENT LAW TO CURB GENDERED HARASSMENT AND MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE

"I was surprised by their wisdom, their honesty, their vulnerableness, and our shared sadness of how little we have traveled in the area of diversity after all these years," Lee said.