as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of powerless
Within seconds, the vehicle was halted off the 60 Freeway exit at Country Village Road, and the suspect was left as powerless as a rodeo calf on its side.
—
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
But Minnesota was powerless to take advantage of the youthful indiscretions.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Far back, the court’s Dred Scott decision in 1856 made the Civil War inevitable by ruling that Congress was powerless to prohibit slavery in the territories.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Without constant reinforcement, these muscles will atrophy, and when real tyranny arrives, the flabby citizen will be powerless to resist.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
But Minnesota was powerless to take advantage of the youthful indiscretions.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Far back, the court’s Dred Scott decision in 1856 made the Civil War inevitable by ruling that Congress was powerless to prohibit slavery in the territories.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Without constant reinforcement, these muscles will atrophy, and when real tyranny arrives, the flabby citizen will be powerless to resist.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
Adjective
-
By contrast, the publication of his translation of Kafka in Italian in the spring of 1983 left him feeling empty, helpless, defenseless.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
-
All the sweeping expansiveness snaps shut with a sudden health crisis for Kristen, its onset signaled with masterful concision in a middle-of-the-night calamity that leaves her helpless.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Free agency is weak, so the best bet will be the trade market.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
