as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of powerless
Resource limitations can leave leaders feeling powerless and demoralized.
—
Chaitra Vedullapalli, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
But the Hornets’ rising young star is powerless, unable to play due to a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist that’s sidelining him indefinitely and forced him into spectator status during Charlotte’s 110-105 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 20 Jan. 2025
But Trump is president now, not a powerless pundit.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
Although Iran is unmistakably weaker today courtesy of Israel's military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah as well as Bashar al-Assad's fall, the Saudis can't discount the Iranians as powerless.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Chaitra Vedullapalli, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
But the Hornets’ rising young star is powerless, unable to play due to a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist that’s sidelining him indefinitely and forced him into spectator status during Charlotte’s 110-105 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 20 Jan. 2025
But Trump is president now, not a powerless pundit.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
Although Iran is unmistakably weaker today courtesy of Israel's military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah as well as Bashar al-Assad's fall, the Saudis can't discount the Iranians as powerless.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
Adjective
-
In Texarkana, the year before, men and boys amused themselves by cutting off strips of flesh and thrusting knives into their helpless victim.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Amick stars alongside James Spader as a beguiling beauty whom Spader is helpless before.—
Jordan Crucchiola,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
He was hospitalized after getting a 5-centimeter chicken bone stuck in his throat, which according to court records left him with a partially paralyzed diaphragm along with lung and heart damage.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
-
In mid-August 2024, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported the first case of polio in 25 years in a 10-month-old child who had not been vaccinated and became paralyzed, according to the WHO.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Salesforce shares fell in extended trading Wednesday on mixed quarterly results and weak guidance.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
-
By late this evening, the winds will be significantly weaker.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to powerless
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share