as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of powerless
Several participants noted that medical professionals focused primarily on the biological explanations for their distress, such as hormonal changes, but this often left women feeling powerless about their mental state.
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Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
The broadcaster said his daughters' persuasive skills can sometimes leave him feeling powerless, but his pride makes up for it.
—Haley Van Horn, People.com, 20 Oct. 2024
Democrats, so the theory goes, are allowing people from across the world — but especially Latin America — into the U.S. to make whites a powerless minority.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
The only debate between the Arizona candidates for U.S. Senate quickly turned into the Kari Lake Show on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and the moderators seemed powerless to stop it.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for powerless 
Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
The broadcaster said his daughters' persuasive skills can sometimes leave him feeling powerless, but his pride makes up for it.
—Haley Van Horn, People.com, 20 Oct. 2024
Democrats, so the theory goes, are allowing people from across the world — but especially Latin America — into the U.S. to make whites a powerless minority.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
The only debate between the Arizona candidates for U.S. Senate quickly turned into the Kari Lake Show on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and the moderators seemed powerless to stop it.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
Adjective
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While Chris Smith lay helpless, authorities say Tarr was plotting to silence him forever.Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024
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This creates a helpless but highly effective kind of suspense, as Iris must rely on her tormentor to mess up, at least until her limbs start to respond again.Peter Debruge, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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When the technology is limited to medical applications, such as Chang’s device that helps paralyzed people regain the ability to communicate, those applications are covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
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My left leg is, uh, partially paralyzed from my hip to my knee, then from my knee to my toes, completely paralyzed, so if there's any neurosurgeons out there … any researchers out there, please get a hold of me.Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Other checks on Trump’s policy will also be far weaker.Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
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Each endpoint can be assessed to sniff out weak points.PCMAG, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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