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

Players are moving schools every year searching for the highest bidder, while institutions feel powerless to stop the rapid change and the quest for more revenue. —Sen. Rand Paul Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026

Lopez’s lawyer portrayed her as a lifelong victim of abuse who sought to please those around her and who was powerless to stop her boyfriend, Ismael Alvarez, from killing Lopez-Custodio. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 10 June 2026

Feeling powerless driving a CATS bus At times, drivers work on high alert, unsure whether passengers who are threatening them will get physical, the former bus drivers said. —Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026

Kwan repeatedly asked Espinal to cut it out, her suit says, but didn’t report him, feeling powerless. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 1 June 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