Unprotected: meaning, definitions and examples

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unprotected

[ˌʌnprəˈtɛktɪd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

security

Not protected or defended against some risk or danger.

Synonyms

defenseless, exposed, unguarded, vulnerable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unprotected	Used when describing someone or something that lacks necessary protection, often in a physical sense. The child wandered into the street unprotected. The unprotected data was easily accessed by hackers.
vulnerable	Indicates susceptibility to physical or emotional harm or attack, often used in more emotional or psychological contexts. After the breakup, she felt incredibly vulnerable. The seaside village is vulnerable to tsunamis.
exposed	Refers to being open to danger, harm, or risk, often highlighting vulnerability to external elements. The exposed mountainside faced the full force of the storm. The company's secrets were exposed in the data breach.
defenseless	Describes a person or animal that cannot defend themselves against attack, often evoking sympathy. The defenseless kitten was left alone in the storm. Without their armor, the soldiers felt defenseless.
unguarded	Used when something is not being watched or protected, often implying negligence or risk. The unguarded gate allowed anyone to enter the premises. He made an unguarded comment that revealed too much.

Examples of usage

The website was left unprotected against cyber attacks.
The unprotected area was prone to flooding.
She felt vulnerable and unprotected in the unfamiliar surroundings.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

health

Not having taken precautions to prevent sexually transmitted infections or diseases.

Synonyms

dangerous, risky, unsafe.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unprotected	Best used when referring to something that lacks protection or safety measures, such as a system, place, or person, often within a technical or physical context. The data was unprotected and easily accessible to anyone. She felt unprotected walking alone at night.
unsafe	Best for describing conditions or environments that are not secure or might put someone in harm's way. The building was declared unsafe after the earthquake. Working without a helmet is unsafe.
risky	Used for situations involving uncertainty and potential loss or danger, often in the context of decisions, investments, or adventures. Investing in startups can be very risky. Climbing that mountain is a risky endeavor.
dangerous	Ideal for describing situations, actions, or places that have a high potential for causing harm or injury. It's dangerous to drive at high speeds on icy roads. That area of the city is known to be dangerous at night.

Examples of usage

Engaging in unprotected sex can lead to unwanted pregnancies.
It is important to use protection to avoid unprotected exposure to STDs.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'unprotected' comes from 'protect,' which means to keep safe, and the prefix 'un-' means not.
In Middle English, the word 'protect' was widely used, derived from Old French and Latin, emphasizing its long history in language.

Legal Context

In law, 'unprotected' often refers to rights or individuals who do not have legal safeguards, like freedom of speech in certain contexts.
Bills of Rights aim to protect citizens; without them, people may feel unprotected from government actions.

Technology

In cybersecurity, unprotected devices are vulnerable to attacks, as they lack firewalls or other security measures.
An unprotected Wi-Fi network can expose users to hacking, making their private information accessible to others.

Health

Without unprotected precautions during health emergencies, communities can face increased risks, similar to the spread of disease.
Unprotected sex can lead to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), highlighting the importance of safety measures.

Environmental Issues

Areas unprotected by laws or regulations may suffer from pollution and environmental degradation.
Wildlife unprotected from hunting could face extinction, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.

Translations

Translations of the word "unprotected" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desprotegido

🇮🇳 असुरक्षित

🇩🇪 ungeschützt

🇮🇩 tidak terlindungi

🇺🇦 незахищений

🇵🇱 niechroniony

🇯🇵 無防備

🇫🇷 non protégé

🇪🇸 desprotegido

🇹🇷 korunmasız

🇰🇷 보호되지 않은

🇸🇦 غير محمي

🇨🇿 nechráněný

🇸🇰 nechránený

🇨🇳 未受保护的

🇸🇮 nezaščiten

🇮🇸 óvarinn

🇰🇿 қорғалмаған

🇬🇪 დაუცველი

🇦🇿 qorunmayan

🇲🇽 desprotegido

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,353, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
13350 perverse
13351 willed
13352 celery
13353 unprotected
13354 lagoon
13355 recapture
13356 pane
...