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
Examples of powerless in a Sentence
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Moro was powerless and eventually was killed.
—
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
None of these cities will be as powerless as DC, constitutionally barred from a vote in the House or Senate.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Evans, who lives in Cincinnati and was only recently released from the hospital herself, was powerless to help him.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
The success of Badlands is due to all that, as well as people feeling kind of powerless.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
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Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
None of these cities will be as powerless as DC, constitutionally barred from a vote in the House or Senate.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Evans, who lives in Cincinnati and was only recently released from the hospital herself, was powerless to help him.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
The success of Badlands is due to all that, as well as people feeling kind of powerless.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powerless. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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