1
as in sterile
not able to produce fruit or offspring
most mules are impotent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
an impotent ruler who was just a figurehead
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impotent
The indiscriminate slashing has given impotent Democrats a hammer to use against the administration.
—
Nolan Finley, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
The confrontation ends when Rick pulls his gun, takes a few impotent feints at his nemesis like a junior high bully who delights in watching his prey flinch, then frustratedly tips over Jim’s chair, grabs Frank, and leaves.
—Judy Berman, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
Riding a four-game winning streak and a two-goal lead into the second intermission, the Penguins looked impotent while being steamrolled in the third period on Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena, falling 4-2 to the New York Islanders.
—Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
Were Cocoa’s leaders impotent in convincing Orlando Health to repair it, in order to keep a commitment to Cocoa’s health?
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impotent
Nolan Finley, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
The confrontation ends when Rick pulls his gun, takes a few impotent feints at his nemesis like a junior high bully who delights in watching his prey flinch, then frustratedly tips over Jim’s chair, grabs Frank, and leaves.
—Judy Berman, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
Riding a four-game winning streak and a two-goal lead into the second intermission, the Penguins looked impotent while being steamrolled in the third period on Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena, falling 4-2 to the New York Islanders.
—Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
Were Cocoa’s leaders impotent in convincing Orlando Health to repair it, in order to keep a commitment to Cocoa’s health?
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impotent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impotent
Adjective
-
The rest of the film largely unfolds in sterile, windowless courtrooms as the terms of the clearly unethical (if apparently standard) agreement are reexamined, and the pressures of the trial strain the young couple’s relationship.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
28 May 2025
-
This means that any lander to set down, even briefly, on one of these moons would have to be completely sterile.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Yet the Rocket have been outscored 15-4 through three games, looking helpless against a Checkers team that has gotten red hot at exactly the right time.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
1 June 2025
-
From the dugout at San Siro, Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco were helpless.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
The festival was deliberately planned for the barren weeks in June after college students left and before the summer concert and festival season kicked in.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
-
The Bureau’s new research station on Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano, with its high altitude and barren landscape, would prove to be the ideal collection spot.—
Ashley Braun,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Is there a difference between being stuck and feeling paralyzed?—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
17 May 2025
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But the duo, who were also romantically involved throughout their lives, saw their careers come to an end when Roy was attacked on stage by one of their live tigers, which damaged his spine and induced a stroke that left him partially paralyzed.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
In addition to a weak critical reception, the film became mired in controversy due to political comments made by lead actress Rachel Zegler in the run-up to its release; the casting of a Latina actress as the titular character; and the use of CGI to reimagine the seven dwarfs.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
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These weaker strains of the disease eventually sputtered out and went extinct.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impotent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impotent. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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