helpless

adjective

help·less ˈhel-pləs

Southern often ˈhep-ləs,

also ˈheəp-

Synonyms of helpless next

: lacking protection or support : defenseless

as helpless as a flock of shepherdless sheep—

W. H. Mallock

: marked by an inability to act or react

the crowd looked on in helpless horror—

Current Biography

: 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 Advertisement The revision effort took place in 2021 after Black cast members in the show wrote a letter to the creators expressing their concerns about the show’s clichéd depictions of Black characters as helpless or unsophisticated. —

Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2023 And even people active in the fight against AI that enables human rights abuses can feel helpless or lose hope. —

Khari Johnson, WIRED, 31 Aug. 2023 After rescuing a helpless kitten later named Peaches, Joseph Waldherr from Tacoma felt inspired and decided to play the state lottery game. —

Doc Louallen, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2023 However, seasonal allergies can cause great discomfort for dogs and leave us feeling helpless. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 July 2023 Despite not all strains carrying such risks, many women diagnosed with HPV are left feeling helpless, disempowered and burdened by feelings of shame associated with this condition. —

Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023 Ahead of the premiere in early July, Perkins spoke with Town & Country about channeling Alfred Hitchcock's helpless heroines and her adoration of 1930s and 1940s films. —

Town & Country, 30 Aug. 2023 Anne Souder’s embodiment of the Chorus was helpless to stave off the detestable fate of Xin Ying’s brooding, brutal and human Medea. —

Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2023 An unlikely series of events had conspired to preserve this helpless horde of pollinators over millenniums. —

Sarah Derouin, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'helpless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.