impotence
noun
im·po·tence
ˈim-pə-tən(t)s 
: the quality or state of being impotent: such as
a
: lack of power, strength, or vigor : weakness
… the growing impotence of governments in the face of corporate willfulness and regional factionalism.—
Alan Wexelblat
Alan Wexelblat
b
: an abnormal physical or psychological state of a male characterized by inability to engage in sexual intercourse because of failure to have or maintain an erection : erectile dysfunction
Examples of impotence in a Sentence
the congressional committee's essential impotence in affecting the management of the war was frustrating to its members
Recent Examples on the Web
There have been encouraging signs in other games or even in consecutive games, only to have the Padres revert to being the offensive impatience and impotence.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
The surgery to remove the prostate is often done outpatient, and has low risk for incontinence and impotence, but can cause erectile dysfunction, which can be treated by medication.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Derringer, who’s only used to prop guns, becomes an amusing walking metaphor for impotence disguised by nationalistic fervor.
—Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 27 June 2025
And therein lies a sense of impotence, because our ability to discern the consequential ghoulishness of this nation’s policies–LOL that’s crazy!–doesn’t in and of itself constitute resistance.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impotence
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Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
The surgery to remove the prostate is often done outpatient, and has low risk for incontinence and impotence, but can cause erectile dysfunction, which can be treated by medication.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Derringer, who’s only used to prop guns, becomes an amusing walking metaphor for impotence disguised by nationalistic fervor.
—Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 27 June 2025
And therein lies a sense of impotence, because our ability to discern the consequential ghoulishness of this nation’s policies–LOL that’s crazy!–doesn’t in and of itself constitute resistance.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impotence
Cite this Entry
“Impotence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impotence. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impotence
noun
im·po·tence
ˈim-pət-ən(t)s
: the quality or state of being impotent
Medical Definition
impotence
noun
im·po·tence
ˈim-pət-ən(t)s
1
: the quality or state of not being potent
drug-resistant bacteria are a virulent indicator of the growing impotence of antibiotics
2
: an abnormal physical or psychological state of a male characterized by inability to engage in sexual intercourse because of failure to have or maintain an erection
called also erectile dysfunction
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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