vulnerable

Universal Words adjective ~ (to sb/sth) weak and easily hurt physically or emotionally: to be vulnerable to abuse / attack / illness * She looked very vulnerable standing there on her own. * In cases of food poisoning, young children are especially vulnerable. * The sudden resignation of the financial director put the company in a very vulnerable position. * Old people are particularly vulnerable to the flu. * We should protect the most vulnerable members of our society. * Animals are at their most vulnerable when searching for food for their young. vulnerability sth( )to sth(: financial / political vulnerability * the vulnerability of newborn babies to disease * He was intensely aware of his own vulnerability. vulnerably adverb: His condition left him vulnerably exposed to the slightest cold or cough.