Word
invulnerable
Phoneticsin·vul·ner·a·ble, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈvəɫnɝəbəɫ/
UK/ɪnvˈʌlnəɹəbəl/
Definition
adj. impossible to harm, damage, or defeat. You use this to describe someone who is so strong or well-protected that nothing can hurt them.
adj. impossible to harm, damage, or defeat. Often used to describe physical structures, military positions, or psychological states that are immune to external attack or influence.
Examples
“The superhero felt invulnerable to any weapon.”
“After winning ten matches in a row, the team felt invulnerable as they headed into the finals.”
“The fortress was built on a high cliff, making it practically invulnerable to a ground assault, though it remained susceptible to a prolonged naval blockade.”
Examples
simple
“The superhero felt invulnerable to any weapon.”
contextual
“After winning ten matches in a row, the team felt invulnerable as they headed into the finals.”
complex
“The fortress was built on a high cliff, making it practically invulnerable to a ground assault, though it remained susceptible to a prolonged naval blockade.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “invulnerable” in context.
Verb
01. invulnerable to
“No system is completely invulnerable to human error or technical failure.”
adj + prep
02. remain invulnerable
“Despite the economic downturn, the tech giant managed to remain invulnerable.”
verb + adj
03. render invulnerable
“New encryption methods aim to render sensitive data invulnerable to cyberattacks.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. seemingly invulnerable
“The champion looked seemingly invulnerable until the final round of the match.”
adv + adj
05. virtually invulnerable
“The fortress was built on a cliffside, making it virtually invulnerable to land attacks.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. sense of invulnerability
“Success at a young age often creates a false sense of invulnerability.”
noun + prep + noun
07. invulnerable to criticism
“His high approval ratings made him feel invulnerable to criticism from the press.”
08. make someone feel invulnerable
“The adrenaline rush of extreme sports can make athletes feel invulnerable.”
09. prove invulnerable to
“The new strain of the virus proved invulnerable to existing antibiotics.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel', 'seem', or 'become'.
Real-World Examples
“Meanwhile Berrada, the axeman, seems entirely invulnerable from the axe himself, despite the fact his job seems to orbit around resolving the consequences of his own mistakes.” “Intelligence analysis of Tehran’s attack suggests that much-touted Israeli missile defences are not, in fact, invulnerable.” “And much like the oil industry at its pinnacle, whaling appeared invulnerable, with its products deemed far superior to lesser alternatives, such as foul-smelling lard oil or unstable camphene.” Etymology
From Middle French invulnérable, from Latin invulnerābilis, from vulnerābilis, from vulnerō (“I wound”), from vulnus (“wound”), equivalent to in- + vulnerable.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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