1
as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
after the storm we found a helpless baby bird that had fallen out of its nest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in paralyzed
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
we watched, feeling helpless, as the vase slipped from her hand and crashed to the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of helpless
When employees bring problems to their leaders, a dangerous dynamic often emerges, one that turns capable professionals into helpless children and transforms managers into overbearing parents.
—
Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
For the first time in his life, the great shark couldn’t swim freely and, panic-stricken, bolted clear of his world and there was only emptiness, and his tail and pectoral fins were helpless in the void.
—Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
As Schumer’s Stock Falls, Here’s Who’s Vying to Lead Democrats Against Trump
Too often, government appeared, at best, helpless to curb the harmful excesses, and, at worst, a willing collaborator in the profitable carnage.
—Time, 16 July 2025
The 38-year-old Argentine captain delighted the home crowd in the 17th minute, converting a free kick with a bending left-footed shot that went beneath Nashville’s jumping wall, through the space the defenders left open and past helpless goalkeeper Joe Willis.
—Miami Herald, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
For the first time in his life, the great shark couldn’t swim freely and, panic-stricken, bolted clear of his world and there was only emptiness, and his tail and pectoral fins were helpless in the void.
—Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
As Schumer’s Stock Falls, Here’s Who’s Vying to Lead Democrats Against Trump
Too often, government appeared, at best, helpless to curb the harmful excesses, and, at worst, a willing collaborator in the profitable carnage.
—Time, 16 July 2025
The 38-year-old Argentine captain delighted the home crowd in the 17th minute, converting a free kick with a bending left-footed shot that went beneath Nashville’s jumping wall, through the space the defenders left open and past helpless goalkeeper Joe Willis.
—Miami Herald, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
-
His leadership is built on a belief that public safety agencies must be equipped with the right tools and training to protect vulnerable individuals and provide peace of mind to families.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
-
His sentence also considers aggravating factors like his targeting of vulnerable victims and his abuse of a position of trust.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
An unchanging body map could be a huge boost for the emerging field of brain-computer interfaces, which can allow a paralyzed person to speak or move a robotic arm.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
27 Aug. 2025
-
That information led the Tribune to a relative, from the Chicago area, who provided the name of a paralyzed uncle who had been injured during WWII.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
For instance, workers who use AI to learn about topics or validate their work once completed seem less susceptible to being replaced than those who are asked to delegate entire tasks to AI.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Should bad actors gain access to this cloud environment, Americans may be susceptible to widespread identity theft, may lose vital healthcare and food benefits, and the government may be responsible for re-issuing every American a new Social Security Number at great cost.—
Samuel Axon,
ArsTechnica,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And if tariffs only cause a one-time jump in prices, weaker purchasing power could slow the economy.—
Raul Elizalde,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The airline cited weak travel demand and financial challenges.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The disconnect between expectation and reality is often what leaves people feeling powerless.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Sinner was much too good in last year’s final, winning in straight sets, and Fritz has admitted to sometimes feeling powerless against Alcaraz.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Crooked and grossly incompetent Joe Biden would not let Ukraine FIGHT BACK, only DEFEND.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Trump keeps clamoring for a Nobel Peace Prize, but his hopes are delusional since his incompetent dealings with Putin and Netanyahu have enabled them to continue their dastardly deeds.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share