powerless

adjective

ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs How to pronounce powerless (audio)
Definition of powerlessnext
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

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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 powerless Bonta has said that Ellison’s pledge for the two studios to release 30 films a year wasn’t enough to end the legal wrangling because prosecutors often are powerless to enforce conditions after a deal closes. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 So the people that are powerless and are being actively attacked and killed are not Jewish Israelis. — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026 And the other would plant a powerless family tree that would eventually produce the secretly villainous Tom, bent on revenge for centuries of dispossession. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026 Rocha has many friends in Washington, but his attempts to change González’s situation have left him feeling powerless. — Jesús Rodríguez, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
  1. helpless
  2. paralyzed
  3. weak
Adjective
  • That’s not because Crystal soft-pedals the emotional horror of returning to your home to find charred remains after watching, helpless, as flames took the locus of all your best memories.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • That’s not because Crystal soft-pedals the emotional horror of returning to the charred remains of your home after watching, helpless, as flames took the locus of all your best memories.
    — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of helpless
Adjective
  • After 60 days, the researchers reported that treated pigs could stand and walk on all four limbs, while controls remained paralyzed.
    — Mike McRae October 21, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In 1995, however, Reeve, a competitive equestrian, had a devastating accident, breaking his spine while riding, and becoming paralyzed for the rest of his life.
    — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of paralyzed
Adjective
  • The age-old advice of keeping your passwords secure and being wary of suspicious emails is more important than ever as hackers gain more sophisticated tools and use AI to find more of the internet’s weak points.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Analysts expect profits and assets to cover the dividend through weaker timber periods.
    — Sebastien Chasse, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of weak

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powering
powerless
powerlessness
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Cite this Entry

“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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