impotence

noun

im·​po·​tence ˈim-pə-tən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being impotent: such as

a

: lack of power, strength, or vigor : weakness

… the growing impotence of governments in the face of corporate willfulness and regional factionalism.

—Alan Wexelblat

b

: an abnormal physical or psychological state of a male characterized by inability to engage in sexual intercourse because of failure to have or maintain an erection : erectile dysfunction

Synonyms

• inability
• inadequacy
• incapability
• incapacity
• incompetence
• incompetency
• ineptitude
• insufficiency
• powerlessness

Examples of impotence in a Sentence

the congressional committee's essential impotence in affecting the management of the war was frustrating to its members

Recent Examples on the Web

Social media, though, offers an alternative to this impotence. —Callum Booth, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

As such, side effects of surgery and radiation therapy for prostate cancer often include incontinence, impotence and bowel dysfunction. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2025

Among the Sambia of Papua New Guinea, a man carrying an infant is said to slacken with impotence. —Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024

His failure to free 52 American hostages in Iran for more than a year became a microcosm of U.S. impotence. —Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

impotence

noun

im·​po·​tence ˈim-pət-ən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being impotent

Medical Definition

impotence

noun

im·​po·​tence ˈim-pət-ən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of not being potent

drug-resistant bacteria are a virulent indicator of the growing impotence of antibiotics

2

: an abnormal physical or psychological state of a male characterized by inability to engage in sexual intercourse because of failure to have or maintain an erection

called also erectile dysfunction