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
Contrary to conventional wisdom, the Cold War did not render the United Nations impotent.
—
Kal Raustiala, Foreign Affairs, 7 June 2023
Hamit has a history of rage and abuse, leading Ali down a darkening path that may, strangely, end up jumpstarting his impotent life.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025
Then, the Ducks punched back, and the Penguins looked pretty impotent for the remainder of the opening 20 minutes.
—Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
So there’s a feeling of resentment and inadequacy in Laszlo’s presence, and his strength as a character makes Attila feel impotent.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for impotent
Kal Raustiala, Foreign Affairs, 7 June 2023
Hamit has a history of rage and abuse, leading Ali down a darkening path that may, strangely, end up jumpstarting his impotent life.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025
Then, the Ducks punched back, and the Penguins looked pretty impotent for the remainder of the opening 20 minutes.
—Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
So there’s a feeling of resentment and inadequacy in Laszlo’s presence, and his strength as a character makes Attila feel impotent.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for impotent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impotent
Adjective
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In this world, the severance procedure literally splits the mind into work and non-work compartments, resulting in employees who live dual existences: one governed by the sterile demands of corporate productivity and the other shrouded in personal mystery.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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This is a sterile, forgettable little movie that has quickly come to function more as a time capsule than a salient bit of commentary, but there’s something valuable about the sobriety of its perspective.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Bailey's predicament isn't the first time a dog has found itself in an amusingly helpless situation.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
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The Flames’ penalty kill was the NHL’s best in March before Monday (95.5 percent), but the Maple Leafs made the group look helpless with one goal from William Nylander and two by Matthews.—
Nick Ashbourne,
The Athletic,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Charlie Parker’s Favorite Painting (1946) indicates Abercrombie’s engagement with social issues: a yellow noose, nearly fluorescent against a dishwater sky, dangles from a barren tree—an oblique lament from the doggedly antiracist Abercrombie.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
ARTnews.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Mass Effect's core loop doesn't benefit from huge barren landscapes that are devoid of detail.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
25 Mar. 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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Murena Pixel Tablet And Third-Party Apps The ecosystem for Android tablets is weaker than that of Android smartphones.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Cleanup crews noted the tree’s root system was very weak.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impotent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impotent. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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