1
: lacking protection or support : defenseless
as helpless as a flock of shepherdless sheep—
W. H. Mallock
W. H. Mallock2
a
: marked by an inability to act or react
the crowd looked on in helpless horror—Current Biography
Current Biography
b
: not able to be controlled or restrained
helpless laughter
helplessly
adverb
helplessness
noun
Synonyms
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
The wind is bending thick swirls of flame over Sunset Boulevard and the firefighters are helpless to stop it.
—Matt Gutman, ABC News, 9 Jan. 2025
Buster the yellow Lab is a thicc fella who can stop, but will not stop, gleefully belly flopping into his swimming pool despite the increasingly helpless and desperately profane protestations of his mother.
—Julie Klausner, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
Luck was on his side, but the fearlessness was inspiring as Bumrah for a rare time in his career looked helpless.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Determined to save the helpless animal, Jo and her apartment's maintenance team attempted to free her but were unsuccessful.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for helpless 
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Matt Gutman, ABC News, 9 Jan. 2025
Buster the yellow Lab is a thicc fella who can stop, but will not stop, gleefully belly flopping into his swimming pool despite the increasingly helpless and desperately profane protestations of his mother.
—Julie Klausner, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
Luck was on his side, but the fearlessness was inspiring as Bumrah for a rare time in his career looked helpless.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Determined to save the helpless animal, Jo and her apartment's maintenance team attempted to free her but were unsuccessful.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for helpless
Dictionary Entries Near helpless
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helpless. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
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