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Spell Bee Word: Defenceless


Basic Details

Word: Defenceless

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: Unable to protect yourself from attack or harm.

Synonyms: helpless, unprotected, vulnerable, exposed

Antonyms: protected, guarded, armed

How to Spell Defenceless

Syllables: de - fence - less

Tricky part: British spelling keeps the c and the e of defence: defence + less. Students drop the e (defencless) or the second s.

Watch out for: defencless, defenceles, deffenceless

Memory tip: Spell defence in full, then add less with its double s. You can spot the word fence sitting inside it.

Usage Examples

Example 1: The baby deer stood defenceless in the open field.

Example 2: Without its shell, a snail would be almost defenceless.

Example 3: Bullies often pick on children who seem defenceless.

Fun Fact

Many defenceless animals survive by blending in: a stick insect looks so much like a twig that birds often fly straight past it.

Practise the CREST Way

Word Connection

Choose the antonym of the word defenceless as used in the sentence:

The small village stood defenceless against the flood waters.

a) protected
b) helpless
c) vulnerable
d) exposed

Show answer

a) protected. Protected means kept safe, while the other three mean open to harm.

Word Makeup

Only one of these words takes the suffix -less to make a real word. Choose it:

-less

a) attack
b) defence
c) protect
d) safety

Show answer

b) defence. Defence + less gives defenceless; attackless, protectless and safetyless are not words.

Word Cookie

Find the extra letter in the word:

defencelless

a) l
b) s
c) e
d) c

Show answer

a) l. The suffix less has one l and two s's, so the doubled l is extra.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of these is the most defenceless?

a) an armed palace guard
b) a newborn kitten
c) a fully grown tiger
d) a fort with high walls

Show answer

b) a newborn kitten

2. A defenceless town has ____.

a) too many guards
b) tall stone walls
c) a large army
d) no way to protect itself

Show answer

d) no way to protect itself

Associated Words

proclamationspontaneousrenownedboardingcustom
applicantvigourchessforbadesovereignty

Next steps

How to participate in CREST International Spell Bee

The CREST International Spell Bee (CSB) is conducted in two editions – CREST International Spell Bee - Summer (CSB) and CREST International Spell Bee - Winter (CSBW) – giving students across the globe an opportunity to showcase and enhance their spelling proficiency. Designed for young learners from Senior KG to Class 8, the competition focuses on word-building, pronunciation, and vocabulary enrichment, helping students develop strong linguistic skills.

Steps to Participate:

Step 1: Visit the registration page and complete the registration with your desired subject.

Step 2: After Registration done, do login at www.crestolympiads.com/login.

Step 3: After login, go to dashboard and click on Book slot/Take Exam

Step 4: Schedule your exam date and preferred time.

Step 5: Log in with your credentials on the exam day at the scheduled time and take the exam.

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