helplessness

noun

Definition of helplessnessnext
as in powerlessness

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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 helplessness Could Kleist’s conjecture provide a key to their seeming vacancy, their resignation, their helplessness, suggesting that in their benighted condition lies spiritual perfection? — Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026 There are also horrifying incidents of helplessness and despair, as well as touching examples of hope, faith and redemption. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026 There is a particular sort of helplessness that comes from knowing exactly how to fix a computer while being hundreds of miles away from it. — New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2026 As Josephine’s mother, Claire, Chan is luminous with quiet sorrow, conveying maternal guilt and helplessness with precision. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026 To watch Shaw in full flight must fill defences with a sense of pure helplessness. — Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 Picture the anger and helplessness of watching that person bleed out through a video on your phone. — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026 At this moment, complete inertia, helplessness, or escape seemed to be the only ways to react, but Zionism offered a strategy for coping with the changing circumstances, a strategy that had begun with Theodor Herzl. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 Indignation emerged as the dominant emotion, cited by 80% of respondents, followed by helplessness (74%) and sadness (71%). — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helplessness
  1. powerlessness
  2. vulnerability
  3. susceptibility
Noun
  • The study was designed to examine the psychological effects of authority and powerlessness in a prison setting, according to the university.
    — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026
  • New characters are introduced, many interesting details are offered, yet the narration never loses its focus, every sentence adding to the characters’ mounting sense of powerlessness in the face of such a tragic death.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of powerlessness
Noun
  • The continued hostilities have heightened concerns about the vulnerability of Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure, with traders increasingly focused on the risk of a major disruption to production, refining or export facilities.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The next question is how widely medicine can put that vulnerability to work in individual cases.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of vulnerability
Noun
  • Severity depends on the amount of bacteria that’s inhaled, the strain that’s involved and individual susceptibility, Vanrompay says.
    — Rachel Melegrito, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Studies of these families have helped identify potential susceptibility genes for lung cancer and environmental risk factors.
    — Estelamari Rodriguez, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of susceptibility

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helpless
helplessness
helpmate
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Cite this Entry

“Helplessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helplessness. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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