helpless

adjective

help·​less ˈhel-pləs How to pronounce helpless (audio)
 Southern often  ˈhep-ləs,
 also  ˈheəp-
1
: lacking protection or support : defenseless
as helpless as a flock of shepherdless sheepW. H. Mallock
2
a
: marked by an inability to act or react
the crowd looked on in helpless horrorCurrent Biography
b
: not able to be controlled or restrained
helpless laughter
helplessly adverb
helplessness noun

Examples of helpless in a Sentence

The civilians were helpless against their attackers. Firefighters were helpless against the blaze. I feel helpless. Isn't there anything I can do? The crowd was helpless with laughter. He was helpless with rage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His curveball induced one helpless swing from the Diamondbacks (26-23) after another. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025 Scheifele’s emotional and inspirational decision to play mere hours after his father’s unexpected death — to play for his dad, to play because of his dad — ended in cruel fashion, with Scheifele helpless in the penalty box. Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 18 May 2025 The audience and the performer together make a kind of indoor weather—making rain, or warmth, or, on bad nights, leaving each other standing helpless in the cold. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 14 May 2025 And the Warriors — whose only offensive faucet since Curry went down has been to push with pace and score either in transition or against cross matches — were helpless when attempting to score against Minnesota’s set defense. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for helpless

Word History

Etymology

see help entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of helpless was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helpless. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

helpless

adjective
help·​less ˈhel-pləs How to pronounce helpless (audio)
1
: being without defense
2
helplessly adverb
helplessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on helpless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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