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
The passengers dutifully put on their oxygen masks and buckled their seatbelts only to be rendered utterly helpless by the plane going up in flames.
—
Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
Somewhere, ex-Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim had to be proud, as the Nuggets used a popular (and basic) collegiate defense to render the best scorer in the NBA completely helpless on his home floor.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 13 May 2025
His curveball induced one helpless swing from the Diamondbacks (26-23) after another.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
Scheifele’s emotional and inspirational decision to play mere hours after his father’s unexpected death — to play for his dad, to play because of his dad — ended in cruel fashion, with Scheifele helpless in the penalty box.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
Somewhere, ex-Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim had to be proud, as the Nuggets used a popular (and basic) collegiate defense to render the best scorer in the NBA completely helpless on his home floor.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 13 May 2025
His curveball induced one helpless swing from the Diamondbacks (26-23) after another.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
Scheifele’s emotional and inspirational decision to play mere hours after his father’s unexpected death — to play for his dad, to play because of his dad — ended in cruel fashion, with Scheifele helpless in the penalty box.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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If a redraw goes forward, the most vulnerable House incumbents would be Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) in the southwestern 3rd Congressional District and Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) in the southeastern 1st Congressional District.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2025
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In cities, armored units are often funneled into narrow streets and become vulnerable to attacks from above.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Is there a difference between being stuck and feeling paralyzed?—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
17 May 2025
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But the duo, who were also romantically involved throughout their lives, saw their careers come to an end when Roy was attacked on stage by one of their live tigers, which damaged his spine and induced a stroke that left him partially paralyzed.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Insulated pots can also provide a bit of extra protection for root systems that can be susceptible to extreme temperature swings, Vater says.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
2 June 2025
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Most aren’t susceptible to personal appeals with no payback.—
Stephen Collinson,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Neurologists worried that the urban environment, factory work and office jobs, and other modern pressures were making men tired, indecisive, and physically weak.—
Time,
Time,
3 June 2025
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These weaker strains of the disease eventually sputtered out and went extinct.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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But by and large, Democrats have been left on the sidelines and powerless to query Musk and his deputies, let alone stop them.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
6 June 2025
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When Ginny & Georgia’s Brianne Howey entered the courtroom set for Season 3, she was tasked with playing a new version of her usually confident and cunning character– one that was now afraid, powerless, and exceedingly unsure of herself.—
Jennifer Adams,
StyleCaster,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Trump is somewhat incompetent at being an autocrat right now.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
6 June 2025
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Two common themes emerged: many aren’t sure of who the DA is or what the office does and, those who do know, view the DA as ineffective, unprofessional and, in many cases, incompetent.—
Craig MacLellan,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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