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
Feeling powerless is easy when people around you are bickering or creating tension.
—
Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Those impacted by the tornadoes largely stayed with friends and family or hauled generators out to their powerless homes.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 19 May 2025
There is a powerless feeling that overcomes a team when an opposing player hits a series of difficult shots for which there is no defense.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 May 2025
Emergency Response Rooms, a grassroots network of activists providing vital support (and who were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last year), became a lifeline but often was powerless, said Duaa Tariq, an activist in the network.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Those impacted by the tornadoes largely stayed with friends and family or hauled generators out to their powerless homes.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 19 May 2025
There is a powerless feeling that overcomes a team when an opposing player hits a series of difficult shots for which there is no defense.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 May 2025
Emergency Response Rooms, a grassroots network of activists providing vital support (and who were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last year), became a lifeline but often was powerless, said Duaa Tariq, an activist in the network.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
Adjective
-
Yet the Rocket have been outscored 15-4 through three games, looking helpless against a Checkers team that has gotten red hot at exactly the right time.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
1 June 2025
-
From the dugout at San Siro, Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco were helpless.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Is there a difference between being stuck and feeling paralyzed?—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
17 May 2025
-
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
-
Global Blue's weak February European shopper data released on March 5 did indeed work as a catalyst.—
Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
3 June 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share