as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 powerless
But Enid officials are powerless under state law to pass their own rules governing these wells.
—
Nick Bowlin,
ProPublica,
30 June 2026
Is Congress powerless to put a check?
—
CBS News,
28 June 2026
Unfortunately, we humans would be powerless against a rare giant projectile many miles in diameter.
—
Govert Schilling,
Scientific American,
27 June 2026
There are a few ways climate conscious individuals aren’t completely powerless, said several experts in water use, artificial intelligence, data center placement and environmental sustainability.
—
ABC News,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Nick Bowlin,
ProPublica,
30 June 2026
Is Congress powerless to put a check?
—
CBS News,
28 June 2026
Unfortunately, we humans would be powerless against a rare giant projectile many miles in diameter.
—
Govert Schilling,
Scientific American,
27 June 2026
There are a few ways climate conscious individuals aren’t completely powerless, said several experts in water use, artificial intelligence, data center placement and environmental sustainability.
—
ABC News,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
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.
-
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.
Adjective
-
The waves will carry the paralyzed bodies to the shore, and even dead jellyfish have been known to sting.
-
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.
Adjective
-
Following a year of historically weak hiring in 2025, hiring rebounded this spring.
-
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.
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
