defenselessly

1 6.7

In a way that has no protection from harm

adverb
/dɪˈfɛnsəslɪ/

: desprotegidamente

The soldiers surrendered defenselessly after running out of ammunition.

Examples

Critics argued that the company left personal data defenselessly exposed to hackers.
She faced the storm defenselessly without any shelter.
She lay defenselessly on the ground, unable to shield herself from the rain.
The puppy lay defenselessly on the floor.
She lay defenselessly on the ground, unable to shield herself from the approaching storm.
With no one to protect her, she stood defenselessly against the harsh criticism.
The child sat defenselessly on the playground, watching the other kids play without her.

Antonyms

safely

417 1.0

In a way that does not cause harm

securely

29 2.9

In a way that keeps something safe and fixed

How Protected

securely

29 2.9

safely

417 1.0

unsafely

1 2.8

insecurely

1 4.8

vulnerably

1 7.1

defenselessly

1 6.7

Surface Forms

defenselessly positive

defencelessly positive

Morphology

defenselessly = defenseless (transparent) = defense + less + ly

Forming an adverb with the productive suffix '-ly' from the adjective 'defenseless' yields the predictable meaning 'in a defenseless manner'.

Etymology

Defenselessly comes from defense ('protection') + -less ('without') + -ly (makes an adverb). The part defense is the same root as defend, which means 'to protect' or 'to keep danger away', so defenselessly means 'in a way without protection', explaining why it describes being unable to resist harm.