powerless
adjective
pow·er·less
ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs 
1
: devoid of strength or resources
powerless victims
2
: lacking the authority or capacity to act
was powerless to help
powerlessly
adverb
powerlessness
noun
Examples of powerless in a Sentence
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Put simply: individual officers were powerless against the System.
—
Marc J. Dunkelman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
But the lack of consistent messaging has left many everyday Democrats across the country feeling angry and powerless, the New York Times reported over the weekend.
—Jessica Boehm, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
Mara had stumbled into a treacherous leadership trap—feeling powerless and out of control.
—Lisa Hale, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Conspiracy and paranoia have their own aesthetic designed to make the viewer feel powerless, as if some all-seeing eye is always on the job.
—Chris Vognar, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
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Marc J. Dunkelman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
But the lack of consistent messaging has left many everyday Democrats across the country feeling angry and powerless, the New York Times reported over the weekend.
—Jessica Boehm, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
Mara had stumbled into a treacherous leadership trap—feeling powerless and out of control.
—Lisa Hale, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Conspiracy and paranoia have their own aesthetic designed to make the viewer feel powerless, as if some all-seeing eye is always on the job.
—Chris Vognar, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Articles Related to powerless
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powerless. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
powerless
adjective
pow·er·less
ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs
1
: lacking power, force, or energy
2
: lacking authority to act
powerlessly
adverb
powerlessness
noun
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