vulnerability
/ˌvʌlnəɹəˈbɪlɪti/
The state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally. It describes a gap in defenses or a lack of protection that allows an external force to cause damage. In a psychological context, it refers to the courage to be open and honest about one's flaws, fears, and insecurities. Unlike 'weakness', which implies a deficiency, emotional vulnerability is often framed as a strength because it is the prerequisite for deep human connection and intimacy. In technical or security contexts (such as cybersecurity), it denotes a specific flaw or weakness in a system that can be exploited by a threat actor. Here, the connotation is purely clinical and risk-based, focusing on the need for patching or mitigation.
💬Casual Conversation
This new VPN thing is seriously harshing my mellow.
It's to fix a critical system vulnerability. You'd know if you read the memos.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
security vulnerability
A weakness in a system or product that can be exploited by an attacker.
The company is addressing a critical security vulnerability in its network.
system vulnerability
A flaw or weakness within a computer system or network that could be compromised.
Regular audits are needed to identify potential system vulnerability.
emotional vulnerability
The state of being susceptible to emotional harm or distress.
Sharing her feelings showed her emotional vulnerability.
inherent vulnerability
A weakness that is a natural or basic part of something.
The design had an inherent vulnerability that was difficult to fix.
software vulnerability
A flaw in a piece of software that can be exploited by malicious actors.
Patching the software vulnerability is a top priority.
Idioms & Sayings
exploit a vulnerability
To take advantage of a weakness or flaw.
Hackers attempt to exploit a vulnerability in the system.
address a vulnerability
To take action to fix or mitigate a weakness.
The IT department will address a vulnerability before it can be exploited.
expose a vulnerability
To reveal or make known a weakness.
The investigation helped to expose a vulnerability in the company's security protocols.
mitigate vulnerability
To reduce the potential impact or likelihood of a weakness being exploited.
We are implementing new measures to mitigate vulnerability.