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Definitions

on the line

ADJECTIVE
defenseless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
helpless unarmed unprotected
WEAK
caught endangered exposed hands tied in line of fire indefensible like a clay pigeon like a sitting duck naked on-the-spot open out on limb pigeon poor unguarded up the creek weak wide open
Antonyms
WEAK
powerful strong
ADJECTIVE
pregnable
Synonyms
WEAK
accessible assailable attackable defenseless exposed liable naked on-the-spot out on a limb ready sensitive sitting duck sucker susceptible tender thin-skinned unguarded unprotected unsafe vincible weak wide open
ADJECTIVE
sincere
Synonyms
STRONGEST
candid earnest for real forthright genuine heartfelt outspoken real serious true trustworthy
WEAK
24-carat aboveboard actual artless bona fide dead-level dear devout faithful frank guileless honest-to-God honest-to-goodness like it is meant natural no-fooling no-nonsense on the level on the up and up open plain pretensionless regular righteous saintly square sure-enough true-blue unaffected undesigning undissembled unfeigned unpretentious up-front wholehearted
Antonyms
STRONGEST
counterfeit deceitful devious dishonest false flippant insincere invalid untrustworthy
WEAK
tricky
ADJECTIVE
veracious
Synonyms
WEAK
accurate credible dependable direct ethical factual faithful frank genuine high-principled honest just kosher legit like it is on the level on the up and up open reliable right righteous straight-arrow straightforward strict true-blue trustworthy truthful undeceptive up front valid veridical
Antonyms
WEAK
false untrue
ADJECTIVE
vincible
Synonyms
WEAK
accessible assailable attackable defenseless exposed liable naked on-the-spot out on a limb pregnable ready sensitive sitting duck sucker susceptible tender thin-skinned unguarded unprotected unsafe weak wide open
ADJECTIVE
vulnerable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accessible defenseless exposed liable ready sensitive susceptible unsafe weak
WEAK
assailable naked on-the-spot out on a limb sitting duck sucker tender thin-skinned unguarded unprotected wide open
Antonyms
STRONGEST
guarded protected safe secure strong unsusceptible
WEAK
closed
ADVERB
frankly
Synonyms
STRONG
candidly
WEAK
bluntly dead level directly forthrightly freely from the hip in truth laid on the line level on the level openly plainly straight straight-out straightforwardly without reserve
Antonyms
WEAK
deviously dishonestly insincerely secretively
NOUN
foreground
Synonyms
STRONG
focal point focus
WEAK
center fore forepart front
Antonyms
WEAK
back backdrop background mise en scène rear
NOUN
jeopardy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
peril
STRONG
accident chance endangerment exposure hazard insecurity liability precariousness risk venture vulnerability
WEAK
double trouble on the spot out on a limb
Antonyms
STRONG
assurance certainty safety surety
WEAK
protection

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That means that no one, not even the most disruptive clients, should be made to represent themselves in a trial where their life is on the line.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

“At any rate, he put his life on the line for longer,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

It’s only your agenda and legacy on the line.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

This was meant to be another of those famous nights under the Cardiff City Stadium lights, with a place at the World Cup on the line.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Now that Mom wasn’t on the line anymore, the tears wanted to come.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn