schutzlos
Translation
defenceless, unprotected, vulnerable
Examples
Das Kätzchen war allein und schutzlos.
The kitten was alone and defenceless.
Er fühlte sich der Kritik schutzlos ausgeliefert.
He felt defencelessly exposed to the criticism.
Grammar Patterns
((predicative)) to be defenceless The animal was defenceless.
((attributive)) a defenceless ... A defenceless child stood on the street.
((to be exposed to sth.)) ((dat.)) to be defencelessly exposed to sth. He was defencelessly exposed to the situation.
Similar Words
Synonyms: wehrlos, hilflos; Antonyms: geschützt, sicher
Etymology
From 'Schutz' (protection) + the suffix '-los' (-less). Literally 'protection-less'.
Memory Tips
Imagine a snail without its shell ('Schutz'). It is 'schutzlos'.