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
Synonyms
Examples of powerless in a Sentence
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation.
Recent Examples on the Web
But Trump is president now, not a powerless pundit.
—
Zachary Basu, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
Although Iran is unmistakably weaker today courtesy of Israel's military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah as well as Bashar al-Assad's fall, the Saudis can't discount the Iranians as powerless.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
The Wild took the first penalty of the game and killed off all but three seconds of it before Calgary took a lead on a deflected puck that Fleury was powerless to stop.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2025
Where things start to fall apart is the handoff: Peter is supposed to grab the keycard and make for the study, but Javad asks for his help with something, and Noor is powerless to interrupt.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025
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Zachary Basu, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
Although Iran is unmistakably weaker today courtesy of Israel's military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah as well as Bashar al-Assad's fall, the Saudis can't discount the Iranians as powerless.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
The Wild took the first penalty of the game and killed off all but three seconds of it before Calgary took a lead on a deflected puck that Fleury was powerless to stop.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2025
Where things start to fall apart is the handoff: Peter is supposed to grab the keycard and make for the study, but Javad asks for his help with something, and Noor is powerless to interrupt.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for powerless
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Dictionary Entries Near powerless
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powerless. Accessed 10 Feb. 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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