1
as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
after the storm we found a helpless baby bird that had fallen out of its nest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in paralyzed
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
we watched, feeling helpless, as the vase slipped from her hand and crashed to the floor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of helpless
Hosts aren’t totally helpless in the face of these wasps.
—
Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 14 July 2025
The governor told the story of a teenage boy from Oxnard whose parents disappeared in a federal raid, despite having no criminal records, leaving their son helpless and alone.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Granted, Jess is helpless, and in classic Lena Dunham fashion, more than a bit of this episode is dedicated to showing off her flaws.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 July 2025
The Rockies’ offense was helpless against Bello for eight innings.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 14 July 2025
The governor told the story of a teenage boy from Oxnard whose parents disappeared in a federal raid, despite having no criminal records, leaving their son helpless and alone.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Granted, Jess is helpless, and in classic Lena Dunham fashion, more than a bit of this episode is dedicated to showing off her flaws.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 July 2025
The Rockies’ offense was helpless against Bello for eight innings.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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Customers are inherently sticky, but Tenev knows that the old giants of the financial world, including Fidelity, Schwab and Merrill Lynch, are vulnerable as trillions in Boomer assets are bequeathed to their digital-native offspring.—
Nina Bambysheva,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
-
Avoid direct sun exposure: Protect yourself and check on vulnerable relatives and neighbors.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Carl Schulze, of Neenah, has used a wheelchair since 2007, when an accident severed his spinal cord and left him completely paralyzed.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
26 July 2025
-
In June 2022, his face was left partially paralyzed following a Ramsay Hunt Syndrome diagnosis, which forced him to halt his Justice tour and then cancel it entirely.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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People with diabetes have trouble regulating blood sugar and may be more susceptible to orange juice raising blood sugar, which is why they are often counseled to avoid orange juice.11 However, studies on this subject are contradictory.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
22 July 2025
-
Microgravity, radiation, confinement and a change in sleep-wake cycles and can exert pressure on cells, driving lower immune systems and making astronauts more susceptible to being sick during or after missions.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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This downward movement was attributed to both weak job figures and a new round of U.S. tariffs announced by Trump.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
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Last month and August 2024 also saw a weak start, so this comes as no surprise.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Even with all his diplomatic ties, Franklin was powerless to assist Platt because of the Treason Act’s suspension of habeas corpus. Advertisement Newspaper editors and pamphleteers circulated stories about the horrible conditions in the British prisons holding thousands of Americans.—
Time,
Time,
9 July 2025
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Johnson had never been told that a man would be alone with his daughter, and the silence from the school and DCS had left him feeling powerless, Tosto said.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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He was found incompetent to stand trial, which in the state of Colorado, means he must be released from custody, Padden's office told Fox News Digital earlier this month.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
22 July 2025
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Malfunctioning surveillance equipment, conveniently incompetent jail staff, and statements from individuals such as the mayor of New York and Epstein’s brother played roles in fomenting this coalition.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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