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The tiny kitten seemed defenseless until the shelter worker picked it up.
What does Defenseless mean?
Defenseless means not able to protect yourself or get help easily.
Dictionary definition
Not able to protect yourself or get help easily.
Example sentences
Defenseless in a sentence
Writing practice
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Practice the meaning of Defenseless
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does defenseless mean?
Defenseless means not able to protect yourself or get help easily.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses defenseless correctly?
The correct sentence shows the meaning of defenseless through context clues.
Practice 3
Which word is closest in meaning to defenseless?
Helpless is closest in meaning to defenseless in this entry.
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Defenseless
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Sounds like
dih · fen · suh · lus · strongest beat: fen
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
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WordDefenseless.
Partadjective.
MeaningDefenseless means not able to protect yourself or get help easily.
ExampleExample: The tiny kitten seemed defenseless until the shelter worker picked it up.
Word breakdown
4 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- dih · fen · suh · lus
- Strongest beat
- fen
- Ending
- lus
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on fen.
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Synonyms
Words like Defenseless
helplessUse when someone cannot protect themselves or solve a problem alone.
Antonyms
Opposite words
protectedUse when someone is kept safe.
Synonym practice
Want to practice defenseless synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The tiny seedling looked defenseless in the storm," then compare close word choices. Practice defenseless synonyms.
Word family
Defenseless word family
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Student support
Understand Defenseless
Hint for students
Look for clues that show someone needs protection or help.
Common mix-up
Defenseless should describe a situation, not be used to tease or label a person.
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Read the model sentence and underline the clue words that show the feeling or trait. Then write a new sentence that shows defenseless without using the word defenseless.
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The tiny kitten seemed defenseless until the shelter worker picked it up." What clues show what defenseless means?
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