1
as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
after the storm we found a helpless baby bird that had fallen out of its nest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in paralyzed
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
we watched, feeling helpless, as the vase slipped from her hand and crashed to the floor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of helpless
Undermine growth and development so people feel stuck and helpless.
—
Csaba Toth, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Unlike mutual funds, which regurgitate capital gain dividends onto helpless shareholders, stock ETFs rarely distribute taxable gains.
—William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
At times, the purple and gold looked helpless while trying to keep him from the basket.
—Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Dealing with an emotionally unavailable partner is a tireless obstacle to climb — and the First Lady of OVO vulnerably opens up about her own experience, as her stirring vocals capture what can be a helpless feeling.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Csaba Toth, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Unlike mutual funds, which regurgitate capital gain dividends onto helpless shareholders, stock ETFs rarely distribute taxable gains.
—William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
At times, the purple and gold looked helpless while trying to keep him from the basket.
—Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Dealing with an emotionally unavailable partner is a tireless obstacle to climb — and the First Lady of OVO vulnerably opens up about her own experience, as her stirring vocals capture what can be a helpless feeling.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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Saving currently endangered species A number of experts say that bringing back extinct animals will not solve any conservation problems and that efforts would be better spent trying to find ways to save current critically endangered or vulnerable species.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
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There are several factors behind what makes a region particularly sneezy and vulnerable to certain allergens.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Before the polio vaccine was introduced in 1955, tens of thousands of children were catching the disease every year; thousands of them died, and more were left paralyzed.—
Bruce Handy,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
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Because tariffs are a type of taxation, Mr. Trump’s plan is among the largest tax increases in decades, analysts say, a policy change that sent the stock market reeling, paralyzed corporate investment and shoved the economy closer to a recession.—
Andrew Duehren,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Those who are not vaccinated are susceptible to the disease, Calendar said.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
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Bigleaf hydrangeas are susceptible to moisture loss through their large leaves and may require extra irrigation during the heat of summer.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Carbonaceous chondrites tend to be weaker and more crumbly than other meteorites, so these objects just don’t stand as much of a chance.—
Patrick M. Shober,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
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Then, McIlroy hit a weak drive to the right and was blocked by pines.—
Time,
Time,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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His teammate and several others jumped him and left him powerless to fight it.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2025
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But the problem with placing blame on these outside factors is that focusing on what is beyond one’s control leaves them powerless, by definition.—
Bruce Tulgan,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The oligarchy is almost as incompetent and out of touch as is Trump.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2025
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Lawyers for Mike Jeffries, 80, are hoping to place him in the custody of the Attorney General for further evaluation 1 Comments Lawyers for ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries filed a motion on Thursday saying that their client is mentally incompetent to stand trial.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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