powerless

1 of 2

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

powerlessness

2 of 2

noun

pow·​er·​less·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being powerless : impotence

Synonyms of powerless

Adjective

• helpless
• paralyzed
• weak

Examples of powerless in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

And Aparna Nancherla warms up the ice-cold cast of characters as Matt and Jake’s sympathetic but powerless buddy in HR. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Cold comfort for Gaza’s two million residents, who remain shut out of the conversation and all but powerless to determine their fate. — Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

The hardest hit was Cass County, where 6,888 customers were powerless. — Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026

Moms Benefit When Businesses Invest in Stability One of the report's most encouraging conclusions is that employers are not powerless. — Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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