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
Local authorities, meanwhile, are powerless to enact their own restrictions on guns in bars because of a decades-old state law that prohibits cities from regulating alcohol businesses.
—
Tony Cook, IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2025
Persistent electricity blackouts, record inflation and soaring unemployment have left citizens disillusioned by their powerless leadership.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
When Nemo’s curiosity gets the best of him and he’s captured by a diver, his dear old dad is powerless to save him.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Up to that point, society valued power and status, but Jesus turned the world upside down with a focus on the poor, powerless and marginalized.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
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Tony Cook, IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2025
Persistent electricity blackouts, record inflation and soaring unemployment have left citizens disillusioned by their powerless leadership.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
When Nemo’s curiosity gets the best of him and he’s captured by a diver, his dear old dad is powerless to save him.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Up to that point, society valued power and status, but Jesus turned the world upside down with a focus on the poor, powerless and marginalized.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powerless. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
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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