as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
cursed his powerlessness to affect the outcome of his friend's life-threatening illness
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Recent Examples of powerlessness
The characters in this novel are forced to live in a neoliberal world where their powerlessness is already predetermined, and they’re ignored by society and told to just keep on living.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
Perhaps the deepest conflict is not between red and blue, but between power and powerlessness.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Outcry is meant as an antidote to those feelings of powerlessness.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
What is this feeling of powerlessness?
—Gregg Goldstein, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
This oscillation between rage at one’s own powerlessness and fantasies of violence is the song’s motive force.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
Dead Man’s Wire demonstrates the ultimate powerlessness of both captor and captive.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
So that fundamental feeling of powerlessness in the face of larger, ominous and obscure forces doesn’t feel very crazy or conspiratorial to me.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
There is no solution except to grow up, acknowledge our powerlessness, and come to terms with our despair.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
Perhaps the deepest conflict is not between red and blue, but between power and powerlessness.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Outcry is meant as an antidote to those feelings of powerlessness.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
What is this feeling of powerlessness?
—Gregg Goldstein, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
This oscillation between rage at one’s own powerlessness and fantasies of violence is the song’s motive force.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
Dead Man’s Wire demonstrates the ultimate powerlessness of both captor and captive.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
So that fundamental feeling of powerlessness in the face of larger, ominous and obscure forces doesn’t feel very crazy or conspiratorial to me.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
There is no solution except to grow up, acknowledge our powerlessness, and come to terms with our despair.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerlessness
inability
Noun
-
Its launch of ChatGPT-5 in August was a disaster, as the new model had a flatter, more terse personality, as well as an alarming inability to answer basic questions.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Carter’s inability to stay healthy is one of the major reasons why this outfield became so problematic in each of the past two years.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Powerlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerlessness. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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