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
Yet the Rocket have been outscored 15-4 through three games, looking helpless against a Checkers team that has gotten red hot at exactly the right time.
—
Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2025
From the dugout at San Siro, Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco were helpless.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 May 2025
A lot of families all across the country feel pretty helpless.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 25 May 2025
Additionally, some dogs, particularly breeds with extreme infantile traits (such as pugs and French bulldogs), may appear as helpless, harmless, and innocent as small children.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2025
From the dugout at San Siro, Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco were helpless.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 May 2025
A lot of families all across the country feel pretty helpless.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 25 May 2025
Additionally, some dogs, particularly breeds with extreme infantile traits (such as pugs and French bulldogs), may appear as helpless, harmless, and innocent as small children.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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Healthcare providers and community leaders must also educate patients about vaccination benefits, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and those with high exposure.—
Dr. Jerome Adams,
Time,
10 June 2025
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China’s economy remains vulnerable, though: Prices fell again, cementing fears of deflation.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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More recently, in a tragic turn of events, he was left paralyzed from the chest down after being thrown from a horse during a polo tournament last year.—
Peter Aitken
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 June 2025
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In Facility Theatre’s new revival of the Irish playwright’s absurdist tragicomedy, the blind and paralyzed character (played by artistic director Kirk Anderson) looks like a slightly steampunk Scrooge, writes Emily McClanathan.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Insulated pots can also provide a bit of extra protection for root systems that can be susceptible to extreme temperature swings, Vater says.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
2 June 2025
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Most aren’t susceptible to personal appeals with no payback.—
Stephen Collinson,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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In sum, there is a weak case, at best, for some kind of standardization of non-financial KPIs.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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Feeling Unusually Tired or Lacking Energy Protein is a crucial energy source, so when lacking, a person can feel weak and unusually exhausted—mentally, physically, or both.—
Jonathan Purtell,
Verywell Health,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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But by and large, Democrats have been left on the sidelines and powerless to query Musk and his deputies, let alone stop them.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
6 June 2025
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But when my 15-year-old cousin suddenly died in her sleep from a preventable genetic disease, my family was powerless to save her.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Trump is somewhat incompetent at being an autocrat right now.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
6 June 2025
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Two common themes emerged: many aren’t sure of who the DA is or what the office does and, those who do know, view the DA as ineffective, unprofessional and, in many cases, incompetent.—
Craig MacLellan,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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