powerless

adjective

pow·​er·​less ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs 

1

: devoid of strength or resources

powerless victims

2

: lacking the authority or capacity to act

was powerless to help

powerlessly adverb

powerlessness noun

Synonyms of powerless

• helpless
• paralyzed
• weak

Examples of powerless in a Sentence

I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the next several years their unions win, over and over, in the courts, but the Weimar government is powerless to enforce court decisions against the owners of coal mines and steel factories. —Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025

Forces that kept them poor and powerless. —Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025

As construction continues, the developer has kept control of the association’s governing seats, a scenario legal experts say is common in North Carolina and often leaves homeowners feeling powerless. —Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 3 Dec. 2025

Stanford was powerless to stop a Notre Dame team that needed to impress the College Football Playoff selection committee. —Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

powerless

adjective

pow·​er·​less ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs 

1

: lacking power, force, or energy

2

: lacking authority to act

powerlessly adverb

powerlessness noun