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Synonyms for defenselessness


Grammar : Noun
Spell : dih-fens or especially for 7, 9, dee-fens
Phonetic Transcription : dɪˈfɛns or especially for 7, 9, ˈdi fɛns

Top 10 synonyms for defenselessness Other synonyms for the word defenselessness

Définition 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

Antonyms for defenselessness

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