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

That grim reality can leave us feeling stressed out and utterly powerless. — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Bonta has said that Ellison’s pledge for the two studios to release 30 films a year wasn’t enough to end the legal wrangling because prosecutors often are powerless to enforce conditions after a deal closes. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

So the people that are powerless and are being actively attacked and killed are not Jewish Israelis. — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026

And the other would plant a powerless family tree that would eventually produce the secretly villainous Tom, bent on revenge for centuries of dispossession. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 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