Weaponless: meaning, definitions and examples

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weaponless

 

[ ˈwɛpənləs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

being without a weapon

Without a weapon; defenseless; unarmed.

Synonyms

defenseless, unarmed, vulnerable.

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Word Description / Examples
weaponless

Use when specifically referring to a situation where someone does not have any weapons.

  • The soldier stood weaponless, his hands raised in surrender
defenseless

Used to describe someone or something that cannot protect themselves from harm. This word often carries a sense of sympathy or pity.

  • The puppy was defenseless against the larger dogs
unarmed

Applied in situations where someone is without weapons, usually in a scenario involving potential conflict or danger.

  • The police officer approached the suspect cautiously, knowing he was unarmed
vulnerable

Describes a person or thing that is exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

  • Children are especially vulnerable to infectious diseases

Examples of usage

  • He stood before his enemy weaponless.
  • She felt vulnerable and weaponless in the dark alley.
  • Being weaponless, he had to rely on his wits to survive.

Translations

Translations of the word "weaponless" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desarmado

🇮🇳 निर्धारित

🇩🇪 unbewaffnet

🇮🇩 tanpa senjata

🇺🇦 без зброї

🇵🇱 bezbronny

🇯🇵 武器なしの

🇫🇷 sans arme

🇪🇸 desarmado

🇹🇷 silahsız

🇰🇷 무기 없는

🇸🇦 غير مسلح

🇨🇿 neozbrojený

🇸🇰 neozbrojený

🇨🇳 没有武器的

🇸🇮 neoborožen

🇮🇸 vopnlaus

🇰🇿 қарусыз

🇬🇪 უიარაღო

🇦🇿 silahsız

🇲🇽 desarmado

Etymology

The word 'weaponless' dates back to the 16th century and is derived from the combination of 'weapon' and the suffix '-less', meaning 'without'. In a society where weapons were often a symbol of power and protection, being weaponless could signify vulnerability or lack of defense. Over time, the word has come to represent the state of being without a weapon, often used in contexts of warfare, self-defense, or conflict.

See also: bioweapon, weapon, weaponed, weaponry, weapons.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,600, 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.