What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
defenseless
Example
The child was left defenseless against the bully's taunts. [defenseless: adjective]
Example
The village was defenseless against the invading army. [defenseless: adjective]
unprotected
Example
The house was left unprotected during the storm and suffered damage. [unprotected: adjective]
Example
The workers were left unprotected from the hazardous chemicals. [unprotected: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unprotected is more commonly used than defenseless in everyday language. Unprotected is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while defenseless is less common and may be more formal or emotive.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between defenseless and unprotected?
Unprotected is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while defenseless may be more formal or emotive.
