1
as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
after the storm we found a helpless baby bird that had fallen out of its nest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in paralyzed
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
we watched, feeling helpless, as the vase slipped from her hand and crashed to the floor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of helpless
Locked away in an old house in Montana, her increasingly agitated and erratic behavior leaves her companion, Jackson, played by Pattinson, worried and helpless.
—
Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
That has forced fewer service providers to handle more cases to pick up that slack, leaving many feeling overworked and helpless.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
Her voice, a clear, singsong cadence that toddlers seem helpless to resist, has become, for millions of parents, the definitive soundtrack of early childhood.
—Samantha Barry, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
The Nuggets were helpless to stop it.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
That has forced fewer service providers to handle more cases to pick up that slack, leaving many feeling overworked and helpless.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
Her voice, a clear, singsong cadence that toddlers seem helpless to resist, has become, for millions of parents, the definitive soundtrack of early childhood.
—Samantha Barry, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
The Nuggets were helpless to stop it.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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His full project showcases his vivid, vulnerable songwriting, cementing Slone as one of country music’s most compelling new voices.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
3 Nov. 2025
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Mackinac Bridge officials recorded the highest wind gust Monday morning, 49 mph, prompting an advisory and escorts across the span for vulnerable vehicles like motorcycles, pickup trucks with campers and other high-profile vehicles.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In addition, the left side of his face became paralyzed.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Oct. 2025
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In August, Elon Musk’s Neuralink expanded to the UK with a clinical study testing its brain chip to help paralyzed patients control devices through thought.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The deterioration in the labor market has been concentrated in payroll employment, which is the [datapoint] that is the most susceptible to demographic and immigration changes.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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However, Arizona's hot and dry desert climate made Gilbert susceptible to drought and wildfires, causing the low ranking in natural disaster risk.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The company attributed the decline to weak demand, shifting some shipments to Q4 and an unfavorable mix.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Nov. 2025
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It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems and pregnant women.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Lucas Paqueta equalised, Sven Botman slid the ball into his own net and then Tomas Soucek gilded the scoreline at the death and, through all of it, Newcastle were powerless.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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Quietly, evil collapsed, while Maloyan’s virtue stood firm against brutal force, rendering that force powerless.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The interview was one of Gille's first public appearances since a judge ruled him incompetent to stand trial in August.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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The thing that makes Slow Horses work so well — in addition to the action and pacing and farting — is that everyone on this show is incompetent in their own special little way.—
Brian Grubb,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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