adjective

defenceless

dih-FEHNS-luhs

adjective

Without protection; unable to defend oneself.

"The villagers were left defenceless after the soldiers withdrew."

How to Use Defenceless

Learner’s notes

UK vs US

British spelling; American English writes "defenseless."

Easily confused with

defenseless →

more defenceless comparative, most defenceless superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The villagers were left _____ after the soldiers withdrew.

From defence + the suffix -less ("without").

useless ageless wireless hopeless homeless tireless careless lifeless baseless clueless timeless loveless