Synonyms of helpless

helpless

adjective

ˈhel-pləs 

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

• vulnerable
• susceptible
• unprotected
• defenseless
• undefended
• exposed
• unguarded
• unarmed
• unsafe
• passive
• unresistant
• in the lurch
• weak
• untenable
• feeble
• indefensible
• overcome
• uncovered
• abandoned
• disarmed
• preyed (on or upon)
• resistless
• frail
• high and dry
• marooned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resistant
• protected
• safe
• sheltered
• secure
• armed
• covered
• invulnerable
• defensible
• immune
• armored
• fortified
• invincible
• strong
• guarded
• shielded
• screened
• impenetrable
• impregnable
• omnipotent
• unconquerable
• unassailable
• unbeatable
• almighty

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• paralyzed
• weak
• powerless
• incompetent
• impotent
• incapable
• passive
• high and dry
• handcuffed
• useless
• hog-tied
• feeble
• unfit
• hamstrung
• ineffectual
• ineffective
• impuissant
• infirm
• inept
• supine
• spineless
• frail
• unaggressive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• powerful
• able
• mighty
• strong
• capable
• competent
• effective
• potent
• efficient
• despotic
• tyrannical
• authoritarian
• dominant
• autocratic
• dictatorial
• important
• dynamic
• tough
• energetic
• forceful
• puissant
• sturdy
• vigorous
• major
• robust
• significant
• tyrannic
• magisterial
• senior
• autocratical
• top
• high-level

Examples of helpless in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Read More: Why Cannibalism Is A Common Behavior For Some Animals Using AI to Stop Invasive Hornets Similar to how Australian species were defenseless to cane toad toxins, other species are helpless against invading wasps. —Discover Magazine, 14 Oct. 2024

Read the full Scorpio Daily Horoscope Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) No longer helpless? —USA TODAY, 11 Oct. 2024

Turns out, people would prefer to receive an authentic human response, yet many feel nearly helpless to offer one themselves. —Matthew Schnipper, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2024

The lawsuit filed in Maryland provides the most detailed account yet of the cascading series of failures on the Dali that left the vessel’s pilots and crew helpless in the face of looming disaster. —Lea Skene and Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024