powerless
adjective
pow·er·less
ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs 
1
: devoid of strength or resources
powerless victims
2
: lacking the authority or capacity to act
was powerless to help
powerlessly
adverb
powerlessness
noun
Examples of powerless in a Sentence
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation.
Recent Examples on the Web
The system has been designed to keep us powerless, but that ends now.
—
John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
The mayor is powerless—the order’s from above, the money from elsewhere.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
But if the United States moves aggressively to prevent the maintenance of equipment already given, then Europe will be powerless to arrest the steady demechanization of the Ukrainian military.
—Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025
Under this model, board members from Chicago and suburban Cook could dictate rates for suburban Metra and Pace riders, while the few suburban representatives would be powerless to stop or influence those decisions.
—Seth Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
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John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
The mayor is powerless—the order’s from above, the money from elsewhere.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
But if the United States moves aggressively to prevent the maintenance of equipment already given, then Europe will be powerless to arrest the steady demechanization of the Ukrainian military.
—Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025
Under this model, board members from Chicago and suburban Cook could dictate rates for suburban Metra and Pace riders, while the few suburban representatives would be powerless to stop or influence those decisions.
—Seth Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powerless. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
powerless
adjective
pow·er·less
ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs
1
: lacking power, force, or energy
2
: lacking authority to act
powerlessly
adverb
powerlessness
noun
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