vulnerability.

Susceptibility to being harmed, exploited, or emotionally hurt.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• sense of vulnerability
• emotional vulnerability
• exploit a vulnerability

On the page

Without a working phone, their vulnerability became painfully clear.

Admitting his vulnerability made the request for help more honest.

The scammer exploited her vulnerability after the bereavement.

Usage notes

Primary category: fear. A condition, not an emotion; a person can be vulnerable without feeling afraid. Distinguish exposed weakness from experienced helplessness. Usually uncountable in this sense. Count plural: vulnerabilities. Derived family (not additional inflections or records): vulnerable.