1
as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
after the storm we found a helpless baby bird that had fallen out of its nest
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in paralyzed
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
we watched, feeling helpless, as the vase slipped from her hand and crashed to the floor
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of helpless
Even with Penny’s acquittal, Bragg’s prosecution will make good people think twice before coming to the aid of helpless people.
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The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
Other Trump aides who were not at the club at the time were helpless to stop him.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Existing franchises that have successfully executed complex roster-building strategies hate seeing their hard work undone, helpless as key role players depart.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2024
With the Anschluss came atrocities, as Hitler’s boys had their way with the helpless.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for helpless 
The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
Other Trump aides who were not at the club at the time were helpless to stop him.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Existing franchises that have successfully executed complex roster-building strategies hate seeing their hard work undone, helpless as key role players depart.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2024
With the Anschluss came atrocities, as Hitler’s boys had their way with the helpless.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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While Palantir excels operationally with recession-resilient contracts, its valuation leaves investors vulnerable to GDP declines; Palantir's stock could decline by -50% or more in a recession.GuruFocus, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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Clemson was particularly vulnerable on the ground this season, allowing 160.6 rushing yards per game (85th) and 4.7 yards per carry (99th).Grace Raynor, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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After October 7th, people were shocked and stunned and paralyzed and afraid of rockets and trying to figure out where their dead bodies were and whether their kids were dead or captive.Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025
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The inspirational documentary chronicles the actor's storied rise but mainly focuses on his later life and work championing people with disabilities and spinal-cord injuries after a horse-riding accident left him paralyzed.Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Consequently, consumers endure the worst of both worlds: a commodity that is susceptible to rapid price increases, lacking the infrastructure to reduce prices during periods of overproduction, all while relying on an emissions-intensive delivery system.Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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Injuries happen in the NHL all the time, but some roles and positions are more susceptible to them.Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Its woman-on-the-run story is weak at times, not quite engaging enough to get through the constant death and destruction.Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
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China’s persistently low consumer inflation indicates that China is struggling with weak domestic demand, stoking fears of deflation.Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In short, its core competency needs to be responding to predictable natural disasters rather than virtue-signaling about climate change that its expensive (but piddling in the global scheme of things) green-energy initiatives are powerless to affect one way or the other.The Editors, National Review, 13 Jan. 2025
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His Democratic opposition is weak and largely powerless — although Republicans' tiny margin in the House will be a constant threat.Axios, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Geyser was diagnosed the following August with childhood-onset schizophrenia and ruled incompetent to stand trial, a decision that was reversed that December.Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
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The team looked incompetent, even with an extra week to prepare.Chad Graff, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near helpless
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
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