as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
claims that such restrictions on military interventions on foreign soil would render the nation an impuissant giant on the world stage
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Recent Examples of impuissant
The failsafe option of fake news
Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the impuissant opposition, settled down in a comfortable chair, and readied himself for his regular, televised roasting.
—
Isobel Thompson, The Hive, 5 Apr. 2017
Isobel Thompson, The Hive, 5 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impuissant
Adjective
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And wasn’t the world hard enough, without having to care for helpless children too?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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In the midst of feeling helpless, Kate said an idea took shape to commemorate the victims.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While many workers consider job changes, those who approach transitions strategically have a significant advantage over those who act impulsively or remain paralyzed by uncertainty.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Her son was left paralyzed from the mid-chest down, had to have his left leg amputated at the knee and two thirds of his bowel removed — and almost a month later, is still in the hospital, where he is intubated and fighting an infection.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The ultrarich formula uses amino acids to reinforce weak strands, glycerin to hydrate and soften, silicones to smooth the cuticle, and coconut oil to add more moisture and shine.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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China’s economy showed further signs of weakness last month, with key data Monday revealing factory output and consumption rising at their weakest pace for around a year.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But as the river changes course the town could soon be left high and dry and that's fueling a border dispute with neighboring Peru.—
John Otis,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
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The American people overwhelmingly rate Social Security as the most important program in our country and oppose cuts that would leave our seniors high and dry.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Sanders says that rather than quitting, Underwood was fired for being an incompetent employee.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 Sep. 2025
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The man was charged with multiple felony charges but found incompetent to stand trial.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impuissant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impuissant. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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