impuissant

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpwi-sᵊnt How to pronounce impuissant (audio)
Definition of impuissantnext
as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose claims that such restrictions on military interventions on foreign soil would render the nation an impuissant giant on the world stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impuissant
  1. helpless
  2. paralyzed
  3. weak
  4. high and dry
  5. incompetent
Adjective
  • The blast rings out as the helpless attorney watches in horror.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
  • Schiavio is slipped in on the right and his first-time shot goes in off the crossbar with Planicka a mere, helpless spectator.
    — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of helpless
Adjective
  • The egg hatches into a legless larva that consumes the paralyzed insect.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
  • Before the operation, Marc said he and his wife, Adie, were warned their son could lose his sight or become paralyzed.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
Definition of paralyzed
Adjective
  • Last fall, major lenders reported that business was booming despite a sluggish art market, arguing that collectors preferred borrowing against valuable works rather than selling into weaker conditions.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 29 July 2026
  • Goods consumption is weak, while services consumption is outperforming, running above headline GDP growth, Liao said.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • While the official logline for Tracker‘s fourth season hasn’t been released, fans can expect to witness the fallout from Russell’s decision to leave Colter high and dry at the end of season 3.
    — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
  • Lil Wayne is feeling remorseful after leaving fans in Maine high and dry.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of high and dry
Adjective
  • Women's hesitation stems from less encouragement, fear of appearing incompetent, and distrust in AI, which can exhibit biases against women.
    — Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • The mental health courts deal with various legal matters, but one function is to handle the cases of defendants who committed misdemeanors or felonies, have a serious mental illness and have been judged incompetent to stand trial in criminal court.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of incompetent
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

impuissance
impuissant
impulse
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Cite this Entry

“Impuissant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impuissant. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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