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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of powerless
In Eggers’ version, Count Orlok is chasing Depp’s Ellen Hutter, who from the start, drives the action as the men around her try to be heroes in this drama but are actually powerless to help.
—
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 20 Dec. 2024
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
His Democratic opposition is weak and largely powerless — although Republicans' tiny margin in the House will be a constant threat.
—Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
If 76 of them — a simple majority — agree on a speaker candidate, House Democrats would be powerless to affect the outcome.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for powerless 
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 20 Dec. 2024
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
His Democratic opposition is weak and largely powerless — although Republicans' tiny margin in the House will be a constant threat.
—Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
If 76 of them — a simple majority — agree on a speaker candidate, House Democrats would be powerless to affect the outcome.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
Adjective
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Just as the doctor who is no longer compassionate or caring towards his patients should no longer be a doctor—maybe the hopeless, helpless, resigned, and, worst of all, silent, healthcare leader who no longer feels change is his or her responsibility and personal mandate should step away.—
Sachin H. Jain,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Toward the end of the first quarter, Barkley made his presence known with a dashing run through a seemingly helpless Rams defense for a 62-yard touchdown to put the Eagles back on top 13-7.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Nature Medicine View 1 Images Brain-computer interfaces may allow paralyzed people to perform basic actions such as eating and typing, but … well, there's more to life than eating and typing.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
26 Jan. 2025
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The paralyzed participant has worked with researchers as far back as 2016, and expressed a particular interest in flying the virtual drone.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
21 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
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Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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