Assailable: meaning, definitions and examples

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assailable

 

[ əˈseɪləb(ə)l ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

vulnerable

able to be attacked or criticized

Synonyms

attackable, criticizable, vulnerable.

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Word Description / Examples
assailable

Use this word when referring to someone or something that can be attacked or criticized, often in a strategic or physical sense. It suggests that there are clear weaknesses that can be exploited.

  • The fortress was assailable from the north side.
  • His argument was assailable due to lack of evidence.
vulnerable

This word should be used when describing someone or something that is open to being harmed or adversely affected, both physically and emotionally. It often evokes a sense of sympathy or concern.

  • The child was vulnerable and needed protection.
  • The system is vulnerable to cyber attacks.
attackable

This word is best used when talking about a person, place, or thing that can be attacked, mostly in a physical or military context.

  • The castle walls seemed attackable after years of neglect.
  • The village was considered attackable due to its lack of defenses.
criticizable

This term is used when referring to actions, behaviors, or ideas that can be criticized. It often carries a negative connotation, implying that there is something wrong or flawed.

  • His work is certainly criticizable due to numerous factual errors.
  • The policy is criticizable because it doesn't consider environmental impacts.

Examples of usage

  • Her argument was assailable and easily refuted.
  • The fortress was considered assailable due to its weak defenses.

Translations

Translations of the word "assailable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vulnerável

🇮🇳 कमज़ोर

🇩🇪 verwundbar

🇮🇩 rentan

🇺🇦 вразливий

🇵🇱 podatny

🇯🇵 脆弱な

🇫🇷 vulnérable

🇪🇸 vulnerable

🇹🇷 savunmasız

🇰🇷 취약한

🇸🇦 عُرضة للخطر

🇨🇿 zranitelný

🇸🇰 zraniteľný

🇨🇳 脆弱的

🇸🇮 ranljiv

🇮🇸 viðkvæmur

🇰🇿 осал

🇬🇪 მოსუსტებული

🇦🇿 həssas

🇲🇽 vulnerable

Etymology

The word 'assailable' originated from the Latin word 'assail', which means 'to attack'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century. Over time, 'assailable' has come to be used to describe something that is vulnerable or easily attacked. The word highlights the idea of being open to criticism or attack.

See also: assail, assailant, assailing, assault, unassailable.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,098, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.