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
Punk appeared helpless as Reigns picked him up.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Happily, there’s more to it than a simplistic feminist parable of a powerful man imprisoning his helpless wife in a monument to his genius and her domesticity.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Then there’s the title character, who at first impression could be a helpless goldfish just waiting for any one of these alley cats to knock over her bowl and swallow her tail and all.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026
Weaponized incompetence, or the practice of being so helpless that the labor simply falls on someone else, has long been a feature of domestic life.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Happily, there’s more to it than a simplistic feminist parable of a powerful man imprisoning his helpless wife in a monument to his genius and her domesticity.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Then there’s the title character, who at first impression could be a helpless goldfish just waiting for any one of these alley cats to knock over her bowl and swallow her tail and all.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026
Weaponized incompetence, or the practice of being so helpless that the labor simply falls on someone else, has long been a feature of domestic life.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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The Giants must capitalize with early wins against vulnerable opponents this fall to set a promising course in John Harbaugh’s first season as head coach.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
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In addition to these external influences, Dini emphasized that long-term domestic instability has left Somalia’s coastline vulnerable, weakening local institutions and lowering the risks for pirate networks.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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While the idea of being paralyzed can sound alarming, the underlying mechanism is actually a normal part of sleep for nearly everyone.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
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Just one week after coming to the school in 2021 on a hockey recruiting visit, Thibeault suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down.—
Paul Burton,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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But these jobs are also among the most susceptible to AI displacement.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
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Other recommendations from the NFL include a request for the CFTC to create a unique certification process for contracts that are related to an individual player's performance or susceptible to manipulation.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Free agency is weak, so the best bet will be the trade market.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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The original vision of the Accords – of a rapidly expanding regional bloc openly aligned with Israel and integrated economically across the Middle East – has become a significantly weaker prospect.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Marc makes an example of the penitent, powerless Jeanne, reminding the rest of his flock of the punishment for apostasy and using her rough time among the heathens as proof of why none under his control should ever want to trade his order for such modern sin and depravity.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
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Witnesses also described how Venezuelan courts became powerless once intelligence officials decided detainees would remain imprisoned.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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She was found incompetent to stand trial in April 2026 and was ordered to a state hospital, the FBI said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
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Last month, Rodriguez-Singh was found incompetent to stand trial on a capital murder charge in the death of her son, and she will be remanded to a state mental health facility until her competency can be restored.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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