Antonyms for defenselessness

Grammar : Noun

Spell : dih-fens or especially for 7, 9, dee-fens

Phonetic Transcription : dɪˈfɛns or especially for 7, 9, ˈdi fɛns

Definition of defenselessness

Origin : c.1300, "forbidding, prohibition," also "action of guarding or protecting," from Old French defense, from Latin defensus, past participle of defendere "ward off, protect" (see defend). But it also arrived (without the final -e) from Old French defens, from Latin defensum "thing protected or forbidden," neuter past participle of defendere.
Defens was assimilated into defense, but not before it inspired the alternative spelling defence, via the same tendency that produced hence (hennis), pence (penies), dunce (Duns). First used 1935 as a euphemism for "national military resources." Defense mechanism in psychology is from 1913.

As in exposure : noun uncovering; putting in view or danger

Example sentences :

We've got to be wolves and prey upon the poor lamb in her moment of defenselessness.
Extract from : « Elsie Marley, Honey » by Joslyn Gray

I love you enough to respect your defenselessness, but I can not let you go to be, perhaps, another's.
Extract from : « The Gay Adventure » by Richard Bird

Then he's in a pickle to free his weapon again before one of the messy-looking devils takes advantage of his defenselessness.
Extract from : « Men in War » by Andreas Latzko

The cynic of a moment ago had dropped suddenly into a sleep of more than childish weakness and defenselessness.
Extract from : « Robert Elsmere » by Mrs. Humphry Ward

And men, as they grow gross and impudent, abuse and offend their defenselessness.
Extract from : « Abraham Lincoln's Cardinal Traits; » by Clark S. Beardslee

Synonyms for defenselessness

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019