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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of helpless
Still helpless in the face of her new, ultrapublic life, and at a loss for how to re-center herself and her needs and wants within it, Carolyn has been spending most of her time in the loft.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
That gave the last four minutes of the third quarter and the 36-27 fourth quarter a bit of a helpless feeling.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, Jones was stranded on an island of his own making Saturday, exasperated by another difficult game-winning shot that his wingspan was somehow helpless to affect on its own.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
But with Tuscany and Lombardy quiet and their hopes of help from France disappointed, the revolutionary governments that were set up proved helpless.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
That gave the last four minutes of the third quarter and the 36-27 fourth quarter a bit of a helpless feeling.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, Jones was stranded on an island of his own making Saturday, exasperated by another difficult game-winning shot that his wingspan was somehow helpless to affect on its own.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
But with Tuscany and Lombardy quiet and their hopes of help from France disappointed, the revolutionary governments that were set up proved helpless.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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The Administration’s treatment of immigration officers as a vulnerable group rests on claims that agents now face unprecedented threats.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
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Small caps, which tend to be more exposed to economic cycles and financing conditions, are particularly vulnerable in an environment of higher energy prices and tightening liquidity.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Carrington said Ny'Leek died of cardiac arrest Thursday, a little more than a year after surviving a hit-and-run that left him paralyzed from the neck down.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The conflict has physically split the energy world into two paralyzed halves.—
Siddharth Misra,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Writers said the article emphasized findings that were subjective and susceptible to bias.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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Long-term drought conditions mean that vegetation is especially susceptible to fire.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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An atmospheric river should track across California, even into southern California, by Tuesday, March 31, but is currently forecast to remain too weak to cause flooding issues, the WPC said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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At the hospital in Dollow, mothers sat shoulder to shoulder on narrow beds holding frail children, some too weak to cry while others let out soft whimpers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Beacon Hill is not powerless — our legislative leaders control the agenda, the budget, and the levers of state power.—
Matt Chilliak,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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Hybrid attacks are a cocktail of destabilization and deniability, unsettling populations and creating an impression of a strong aggressor and a powerless target.—
Liam Denning,
Bloomberg,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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To this day, no court has found Newman is incompetent.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2026
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Court documents show Lloyd has been found incompetent to stand trial multiple times in Hennepin County for charges of stalking.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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