helpless

adjective

help·less | \ ˈhel-pləs

; Southern often ˈhep-ləs also ˈheəp-\

Definition of helpless

1 : lacking protection or support : defenseless as helpless as a flock of shepherdless sheep— W. H. Mallock

2a : marked by an inability to act or react the crowd looked on in helpless horror — Current Biography

b : not able to be controlled or restrained helpless laughter

Other Words from helpless Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about helpless

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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

One region that was more active in helpless mice was the locus coeruleus. — Andrew Reiner, Washington Post, "Life’s stresses often sink me. Here’s how I decided to change that.," 4 Feb. 2018 Young, who often looks helpless when defenses swarm around him, needs shooters. — Bruce Jenkins, SFChronicle.com, "As the Warriors go their way, the big men multiply," 23 June 2018 Why did McCall, who loved nothing more than brutalizing and convicting African-Americans, decide to railroad a helpless white man who clearly had nothing to do with the crime? — Douglas Perry, OregonLive.com, "Pride, prejudice make injustice inevitable in brutal 1950s Florida: 'Beneath a Ruthless Sun' review," 27 Apr. 2018 Day after day left me feeling sad, worried, angry — and helpless. — Paula Spencer Scott, Woman's Day, "I Participated in a Clinical Study to See if I Had Dementia — Here's What I Learned," 26 Mar. 2019 Frankly, a lot of us feel sort of helpless to do anything about the chaos around here. — Jon Kamp, WSJ, "Impeachment Plan for Fairfax Drafted in Virginia," 10 Feb. 2019 Through these examples, the exhibit illustrates how survivors can often feel helpless about the circumstances that led to their assault. — CNN, "Sexual assault survivors are reclaiming the words used to discredit them: 'What were you wearing?'," 16 Apr. 2018 Get free access to your airline’s website while in flight Few things are more frustrating than being on a flight with a tight connection and being helpless to do anything about it until you land. — Eric Jordan, Condé Nast Traveler, "What to Do When Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed," 20 Nov. 2018 Our press seems increasingly helpless in the face of evidence-free red herrings aimed at its erogenous zones. — Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, "Suddenly, Bezos Is Media’s Hero," 12 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'helpless.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.