defenseless

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The county has said the cost of taking depositions for more than 11,000 cases would be “astronomical,” and that no records exist for many of the older cases, leaving them defenseless.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2026

"Fragile is the flesh of defenseless populations, tried by so many wars, ongoing or concluded, leaving behind rubble and open wounds," the pope said at the mass in St Peter's Basilica.

From Barron's • Dec. 25, 2025

International law states that once enemies have been rendered defenseless, they shouldn’t be subject to further attack.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

"This temporary state renders the shark defenseless, allowing the orcas to extract its nutrient-rich liver and likely consume other organs as well, before abandoning the rest of the carcass," explained Higuera.

From Science Daily • Nov. 3, 2025

She hurried up the steps, smiling a little at this fancy: it was because he looked so young and defenseless as he walked away, and yet so jaunty and strong.

From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin