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
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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
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Recent Examples of helpless
Feeling helpless about the devastating natural disaster that has killed at least 24 people and swept through 40,000 acres in the Greater Los Angeles area, many Angelenos like Amoura have rushed to help those in need.
—
Stephanie Fuerte, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
Many of them have lost their homes or know people who have and are currently experiencing vicarious trauma and survivor’s guilt, leaving everyone to feel helpless, anxious, and hopeless.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 15 Jan. 2025
The wind was so strong and the water was so scarce that emergency crews and firefighters were virtually helpless in many places.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
With only a few dollars in her wallet, Ms. Escalona felt especially helpless when relatives in Venezuela reached out for money.
—Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for helpless 
Stephanie Fuerte, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
Many of them have lost their homes or know people who have and are currently experiencing vicarious trauma and survivor’s guilt, leaving everyone to feel helpless, anxious, and hopeless.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 15 Jan. 2025
The wind was so strong and the water was so scarce that emergency crews and firefighters were virtually helpless in many places.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
With only a few dollars in her wallet, Ms. Escalona felt especially helpless when relatives in Venezuela reached out for money.
—Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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Even the most reliable income streams are vulnerable to external factors beyond your control.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
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So much sadness and anger and sometimes tenderness, but at all times vulnerable lyrically.—
Liza Lentini,
SPIN,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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After October 7th, people were shocked and stunned and paralyzed and afraid of rockets and trying to figure out where their dead bodies were and whether their kids were dead or captive.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
2 Jan. 2025
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The inspirational documentary chronicles the actor's storied rise but mainly focuses on his later life and work championing people with disabilities and spinal-cord injuries after a horse-riding accident left him paralyzed.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Although dogs appear to be less susceptible to the virus than cats, and generally experience milder symptoms, contaminated food products pose risks to canines, too.—
Emily Anthes,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
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All skin is susceptible to the damage that UV rays can cause, including wrinkles, premature aging, and skin cancer, so slather yourself with a generous amount of SPF daily, and not just once.—
Emily Orofino,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Its economy is already facing a deepening malaise, brought on by a property crisis, mounting government debt and weak consumer spending.—
David Pierson,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2025
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The team continues to play great with a different weak spot each season, so maybe that’s part of the excitement and drama of being a fan of the franchise now. · 5h 1m ago Thanks Chandler, good stuff as always.—
Chandler Rome,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In short, its core competency needs to be responding to predictable natural disasters rather than virtue-signaling about climate change that its expensive (but piddling in the global scheme of things) green-energy initiatives are powerless to affect one way or the other.—
The Editors,
National Review,
13 Jan. 2025
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His Democratic opposition is weak and largely powerless — although Republicans' tiny margin in the House will be a constant threat.—
Axios,
Axios,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Geyser was diagnosed the following August with childhood-onset schizophrenia and ruled incompetent to stand trial, a decision that was reversed that December.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2025
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The team looked incompetent, even with an extra week to prepare.—
Chad Graff,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near helpless
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
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