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
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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
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Recent Examples of helpless
But maybe the latest iteration will also give her an identity outside of being helpless in dangerous situations.
—
Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 27 Mar. 2025
My wife often found me in the home office crying, helpless in the dark.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
Many parents are left feeling helpless—a common experience among pop-parenting adherents.
—Gail Cornwall, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider was helpless to stop his former teammate, falling to the ice as Perron beat Detroit goalie Alex Lyon gloveside.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 27 Mar. 2025
My wife often found me in the home office crying, helpless in the dark.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
Many parents are left feeling helpless—a common experience among pop-parenting adherents.
—Gail Cornwall, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider was helpless to stop his former teammate, falling to the ice as Perron beat Detroit goalie Alex Lyon gloveside.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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Saving currently endangered species A number of experts say that bringing back extinct animals will not solve any conservation problems and that efforts would be better spent trying to find ways to save current critically endangered or vulnerable species.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
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There are several factors behind what makes a region particularly sneezy and vulnerable to certain allergens.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Allen survived but was left permanently paralyzed, according to police.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2025
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According to the release, any savings from ending this type of care will go to supporting paralyzed veterans and amputees.—
Jaden Amos,
Axios,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In recent years, the number of satellite launches has increased, resulting in thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit that are susceptible to cyberattacks.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Tomato, pepper, eggplant and tomatillo are all susceptible to the same suite of soil pathogens.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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However, a weaker dollar, resulting from tariffs and other policies, makes that harder for exporters.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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After seven episodes of pained teeth-gritting and wide-eyed astonishment, he’s found closure in confronting the man who killed his father (or not) and finding only a weak old guy too sickly to punch.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Fans are powerless to a certain degree about the people that take over their club.—
The Athletic FC Podcast,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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In its initial stage, however, The Beacon is about empowering people who feel powerless.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The police department’s insufficient and incompetent investigation cannot stand.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
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After almost a year of being declared incompetent, her trial began in April 2023.—
Miguel Torres,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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