impotent
adjective
im·po·tent
ˈim-pə-tənt 
1
2
obsolete
: incapable of self-restraint : ungovernable
impotent
noun
impotently
adverb
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A police department may be impotent to stop the flow of drugs into a neighborhood. A group of countries may be impotent to force another country to change its human-rights policies. The impotence of a prime minister may be shown by her inability to get an important piece of legislation passed. Impotent and impotence may also have a special meaning, when they refer to a man's inability to have sexual intercourse.
Examples of impotent in a Sentence
an impotent ruler who was just a figurehead
Recent Examples on the Web
The confrontation ends when Rick pulls his gun, takes a few impotent feints at his nemesis like a junior high bully who delights in watching his prey flinch, then frustratedly tips over Jim’s chair, grabs Frank, and leaves.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
The indiscriminate slashing has given impotent Democrats a hammer to use against the administration.
—Nolan Finley, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
The confrontation ends when Rick pulls his gun, takes a few impotent feints at his nemesis like a junior high bully who delights in watching his prey flinch, then frustratedly tips over Jim’s chair, grabs Frank, and leaves.
—Judy Berman, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
Riding a four-game winning streak and a two-goal lead into the second intermission, the Penguins looked impotent while being steamrolled in the third period on Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena, falling 4-2 to the New York Islanders.
—Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impotent
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Judy Berman, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
The indiscriminate slashing has given impotent Democrats a hammer to use against the administration.
—Nolan Finley, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
The confrontation ends when Rick pulls his gun, takes a few impotent feints at his nemesis like a junior high bully who delights in watching his prey flinch, then frustratedly tips over Jim’s chair, grabs Frank, and leaves.
—Judy Berman, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
Riding a four-game winning streak and a two-goal lead into the second intermission, the Penguins looked impotent while being steamrolled in the third period on Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena, falling 4-2 to the New York Islanders.
—Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impotent
Cite this Entry
“Impotent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impotent. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impotent
adjective
im·po·tent
ˈim-pət-ənt
1
: lacking in power or strength
2
: incapable of engaging in sexual intercourse
impotently
adverb
Medical Definition
impotent
adjective
im·po·tent
ˈim-pət-ənt
1
: not potent
an impotent vaccine
2
: unable to engage in sexual intercourse because of inability to have and maintain an erection
broadly
: sterile
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