as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of powerless
Right up to his last breath, Francis advocated for the powerless, for those who have so little and yet are villainized by people in positions of authority.
—
J.p. Brammer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
And this was what Navone, the world No. 99 but a game competitor on red clay, was powerless to fend off.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Financial planning is powerless to remedy an unknown illness.
—Tim Maurer, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Twain therefore presents a tantalizing challenge for literary biography: to explain how someone able to spot and depict frailties of conscience, character, and judgment in others could be so powerless to correct them in himself.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
J.p. Brammer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
And this was what Navone, the world No. 99 but a game competitor on red clay, was powerless to fend off.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Financial planning is powerless to remedy an unknown illness.
—Tim Maurer, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Twain therefore presents a tantalizing challenge for literary biography: to explain how someone able to spot and depict frailties of conscience, character, and judgment in others could be so powerless to correct them in himself.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
Adjective
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His curveball induced one helpless swing from the Diamondbacks (26-23) after another.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
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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
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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And, in the long run, economists say that will translate to a weaker economy and a lower standard of living.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
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The grand jury also criticizes city officials for weak oversight and enforcement of their contract with the Humane Society, which requires the nonprofit to enforce leash laws at 400 city parks and other venues.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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