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

Most Popular Most Popular As Liam McNeeley carries UConn men, Dan Hurley calls for ‘reinvention’ as rest of his team struggles A CT woman felt helpless as her dad screamed in pain. —Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2025

Gustavsson was equally helpless against Brad Marchand later in the first. —Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025

The whole team will come out looking as helpless as Jake Gyllenhaal. —Tim Cowlishaw The Dallas Morning News, arkansasonline.com, 12 Feb. 2025

Amid the devastation that unfolded in those first 48 hours, Karly and Frank, like many Angelenos, felt helpless, frightened, and desperate to help. —Kate Lavelle, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025

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