defenseless

Defenseless is an adjective that describes a person or thing that lacks the means to defend itself or is not protected from harm. It can apply to physical vulnerability—being unarmed, injured, or otherwise unable to resist an attack—as well as to situations where safeguards or protective measures are absent or inadequate.

The term derives from defense and the suffix -less, meaning without. In British English, defenseless is often spelled defenseless, while some publications use defenceless; both forms are widely understood.

Contexts: In law and journalism, defenseless people or populations are described as lacking protection, such as children, the elderly, the disabled, or refugees. In everyday language, it commonly describes victims of violence or attack. The term can carry an emotional charge; some style guides suggest alternatives like "vulnerable" or "unprotected" depending on tone and precision.

Defenseless is a descriptive term whose appropriateness depends on context. It is frequently used to emphasize risk or the lack of protective safeguards, but care is needed to avoid overgeneralizing or implying blame.