IMPUISSANT Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

impuissant

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpwi-sᵊnt

Definition of impuissant

as in helpless

unable to act or achieve one's purpose claims that such restrictions on military interventions on foreign soil would render the nation an impuissant giant on the world stage

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for impuissant

Adjective

The leading interpretation is that Smilodon delivered a single precise bite to the throat or belly, severing something vital in a target that was already helpless.

— Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Pele controls the ball in the penalty area with his thigh, flips it over the head of the defender and smashes it past a helpless Kalle Svensson.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

The waves will carry the paralyzed bodies to the shore, and even dead jellyfish have been known to sting.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 June 2026
The teen, who was crossing the street at the time, was run over twice by the truck, causing catastrophic injuries that left him paralyzed from the waist down, local ABC affiliate WKBW reported.

— Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 28 June 2026

Definition of paralyzed

Adjective

Following a year of historically weak hiring in 2025, hiring rebounded this spring.

— Rachel Barber, USA Today, 2 July 2026
In a weak free-agency class, centers Robert Williams III (Portland) and Mark Williams (Phoenix) are already off the market, each reportedly agreeing to return to their current teams.

— Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

Lil Wayne is feeling remorseful after leaving fans in Maine high and dry.

— Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 July 2026
The drought that has plagued much of the Chesapeake Bay’s watershed during the first half of this year is causing strains to drinking water supplies, hurting crop output and leaving many rafters and boaters high and dry.

— Jeremy Cox, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2026

Definition of high and dry

Adjective

Her Volumnia bellows at her meek daughter-in-law, Virgilia (Justine Faith) as though reprimanding an incompetent private.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
One of the lasting side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and our catastrophically incompetent response to it is the decrease in trust in public health experts and their advice.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of incompetent

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impuissance

impuissant

impulse

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“Impuissant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impuissant. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of impuissant

adjective

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