as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
cursed his powerlessness to affect the outcome of his friend's life-threatening illness
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Recent Examples of powerlessness
This sense of powerlessness, too, is a genuine aspect of a poet’s reality.
—
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
As far as going through life’s grand stages is concerned, this has been a double-whammy of pain and powerlessness.
—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
Violence can come from feelings of powerlessness and desperation.
—
Max Gao,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.
—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the deepest conflict is not between red and blue, but between power and powerlessness.
—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Outcry is meant as an antidote to those feelings of powerlessness.
—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
This oscillation between rage at one’s own powerlessness and fantasies of violence is the song’s motive force.
—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
Dead Man’s Wire demonstrates the ultimate powerlessness of both captor and captive.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
As far as going through life’s grand stages is concerned, this has been a double-whammy of pain and powerlessness.
—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
Violence can come from feelings of powerlessness and desperation.
—
Max Gao,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.
—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the deepest conflict is not between red and blue, but between power and powerlessness.
—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Outcry is meant as an antidote to those feelings of powerlessness.
—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
This oscillation between rage at one’s own powerlessness and fantasies of violence is the song’s motive force.
—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
Dead Man’s Wire demonstrates the ultimate powerlessness of both captor and captive.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerlessness
inability
Noun
-
This move follows a successful loan spell at Monaco and his inability to impress new coach Hansi Flick.
-
The ripple effect of food insecurity around the world from Ukraine’s inability to ship its normally massive grain crops.
Cite this Entry
“Powerlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerlessness. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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