powerless

adjective

pow·​er·​less ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs 

1

: devoid of strength or resources

powerless victims

2

: lacking the authority or capacity to act

was powerless to help

powerlessly adverb

powerlessness noun

Synonyms of powerless

• helpless
• paralyzed
• weak

Examples of powerless in a Sentence

I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation.

Recent Examples on the Web

When unspeakable tragedies like Javits Frimpong occur, there is an overwhelming outpouring of grief and rage — the pain of feeling powerless in a country where skin color often determines caste. — Jamaal Bowman, New York Daily News, 12 Nov. 2026

Her discontent is shared by Sam, who’s in his own powerless predicament. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026

The federal government had been powerless to stop the banking industry from digging itself into a nearly inextricable hole; FDR remade the Federal Reserve System into a forceful overseer of banking practices. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Halo 4, 5, and Infinite used sci-fi nonsense to transform him into this larger-than-life figure, rendering the rest of the UNSC largely powerless in the process. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

powerless

adjective

pow·​er·​less ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs 

1

: lacking power, force, or energy

2

: lacking authority to act

powerlessly adverb

powerlessness noun