as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of powerless
The success of Badlands is due to all that, as well as people feeling kind of powerless.
—
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
Evans, who lives in Cincinnati and was only recently released from the hospital herself, was powerless to help him.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Something similar occurs with Dick, who seems pretty powerless himself.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
The disconnect between expectation and reality is often what leaves people feeling powerless.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
Evans, who lives in Cincinnati and was only recently released from the hospital herself, was powerless to help him.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Something similar occurs with Dick, who seems pretty powerless himself.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
The disconnect between expectation and reality is often what leaves people feeling powerless.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
Adjective
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And wasn’t the world hard enough, without having to care for helpless children too?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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In the midst of feeling helpless, Kate said an idea took shape to commemorate the victims.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While many workers consider job changes, those who approach transitions strategically have a significant advantage over those who act impulsively or remain paralyzed by uncertainty.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Her son was left paralyzed from the mid-chest down, had to have his left leg amputated at the knee and two thirds of his bowel removed — and almost a month later, is still in the hospital, where he is intubated and fighting an infection.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The ultrarich formula uses amino acids to reinforce weak strands, glycerin to hydrate and soften, silicones to smooth the cuticle, and coconut oil to add more moisture and shine.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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China’s economy showed further signs of weakness last month, with key data Monday revealing factory output and consumption rising at their weakest pace for around a year.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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