helpless

adjective

help·​less ˈhel-pləs 

 Southern often  ˈhep-ləs,

 also  ˈheəp-

1

: lacking protection or support : defenseless

as helpless as a flock of shepherdless sheep

—W. H. Mallock

2

a

: marked by an inability to act or react

the crowd looked on in helpless horror

—Current Biography

b

: not able to be controlled or restrained

helpless laughter

helplessly adverb

helplessness noun

Synonyms

• defenseless
• exposed
• susceptible
• undefended
• unguarded
• unprotected
• unresistant
• vulnerable

Examples of helpless in a Sentence

The civilians were helpless against their attackers.

Firefighters were helpless against the blaze.

I feel helpless. Isn't there anything I can do?

The crowd was helpless with laughter.

He was helpless with rage.

Recent Examples on the Web

Elizabeth Taylor felt helpless learning a close friend's fate along with the world. —Angela Andaloro, People.com, 19 Oct. 2024

Zimbardo spent the rest of his career promoting his theory that humans are helpless against the evil that lies in wait within us to be triggered by circumstance. —Judy Berman, TIME, 29 Nov. 2024

The Gray Panthers ran a Media Watch that scolded television shows for portraying the elderly as helpless, confused, or decrepit. —Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024

Thunberg’s vulnerability, combined with her resolve, represented both the fragility and the strength of our planet, and likely held up a mirror to the inner child within all of us who feels helpless in the face of overwhelming challenges. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see help entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

helpless

adjective

help·​less ˈhel-pləs 

1

: being without defense

2

: powerless

helplessly adverb

helplessness noun