vulnerability

Word family

• vulnerable
  adjectiveB2
• vulnerably
  adverbC1
• invulnerable
  adjectiveC1
• invulnerability
  nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe a lack of ability to withstand harm, but they highlight different aspects. 'Weakness' is the broadest and most common term — any flaw or limitation counts as a weakness, whether or not it invites attack ('a weakness in the argument'). 'Vulnerability' specifically implies that something is exposed or open to harm from an outside source ('a vulnerability in the security system'). 'Susceptibility' is more formal and suggests a tendency to be affected by something, especially illness or influence ('susceptibility to infection'). 'Fragility' focuses on physical or emotional delicacy — something fragile breaks easily under pressure ('the fragility of the glass vase'). 'Exposure' emphasises the lack of shelter or protection rather than an inner weakness ('exposure to the elements'). In everyday conversation, use 'weakness' for general flaws, 'vulnerability' when the risk of attack or harm is central, and 'susceptibility' in formal or medical writing.

Common collocations

Etymology

The word 'vulnerability' comes from the Latin 'vulnerabilis', meaning 'that may be wounded', which itself comes from 'vulnus' (wound). It entered English in the early 1600s, first used in its physical sense (capable of being physically wounded), and later expanded to cover emotional, social, and technical meanings by the 19th and 20th centuries.