helpless

play

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

2 a :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

—

helplessly

adverb

—

helplessness

noun

See helpless defined for English-language learners

See helpless defined for kids

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 of helpless from the Web

Retired police officer Michael Bedner said the inability to get back to his flooded home to assess the damage has left him feeling helpless.

— juliet linderman, The Seattle Times, "Harvey, the unwelcome visitor that just won’t leave," 30 Aug. 2017
Beginning in 1981, Lewis was a target of disability-rights advocates critical of the telethon and its host for framing those with neuromuscular disease as helpless.

— carrie rickey, Philly.com, "Jerry Lewis, America's funnyman, dies at 91," 20 Aug. 2017
The international community stood helpless as the Chinese government ruthlessly shattered Liu Xiaobo’s last wish by denying his request to seek medical treatment abroad.

— jianli yang, National Review, "Liu Xiaobo’s Stern Warning," 15 Aug. 2017
Some small part of you wants to be helpless and be taken care of, like a little baby, sometimes because your parents couldn’t put their needs second to yours, ever.

— heather havrilesky, The Cut, "Ask Polly: I’m Scared I’ll Destroy My Marriage!," 2 Aug. 2017
Then Cersei verbally tormented a bound and gagged Ellaria, who was left helpless and unable to do anything except watch her daughter slowly perish.

— james hibberd, PEOPLE.com, "Game of Thrones Actress on Her 'Worst Nightmare' Cersei Scene," 31 July 2017
One way to feel less helpless as storms approach and during the hours and days after is to become a certified volunteer in your city or town.

— linda trischitta, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Want to help your community after a disaster? Pompano Beach offers free training," 31 July 2017
That the penalties are inherently unfair to some of the affected athletes is heart-rending, yet inevitable. That the Committee on Infractions is helpless to impose punishment more precisely is among the long-standing inequities of college athletics.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Sullivan: Heart repaired, but still cranky," 24 July 2017
Not down the sideline, balletically high-stepping after picking off yet another pass from yet another helpless quarterback.

— ben baskin, The MMQB, "Deion Sanders: Professional Baseball Player," 14 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of helpless

see ¹help

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

helpless Synonyms

Synonyms

defenseless, exposed, susceptible, undefended, unguarded, unprotected, unresistant, vulnerable, in the lurch

Antonyms

guarded, invulnerable, protected, resistant, shielded

Related Words

indefensible, untenable; uncovered, unsafe; overcome, preyed (on or upon); disarmed, passive, resistless, unarmed; feeble, frail, weak; abandoned, high and dry, marooned

Near Antonyms

defensible; covered, fortified, safe, screened, secure, sheltered; armed, armored; immune, impenetrable, impregnable, invincible, strong, unassailable, unbeatable, unconquerable; almighty, omnipotent

HELPLESS Defined for English Language Learners

helpless

play

adjective

Definition of helpless for English Language Learners

: not protected : not able to defend yourself
: unable to do something to make a situation, task, etc., better or easier
: not able to be controlled

HELPLESS Defined for Kids

helpless

play

adjective help·less \ ˈhelp-ləs \

Definition of helpless for Students

:without help or defense

a helpless infant

—

helplessly

adverb

—

helplessness

noun

Learn More about helpless

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for helpless Spanish Central: Translation of helpless Nglish: Translation of helpless for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of helpless for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up helpless? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

helpless

Definition of helpless

helplessly

helplessness

Explore Merriam-Webster

Examples of helpless in a Sentence

Recent Examples of helpless from the Web

Origin and Etymology of helpless

helpless Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

HELPLESS Defined for English Language Learners

helpless

Definition of helpless for English Language Learners

HELPLESS Defined for Kids

helpless

Definition of helpless for Students

helplessly

helplessness

Learn More about helpless

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066