impotence

noun

im·​po·​tence ˈim-pə-tən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being impotent: such as

a

: lack of power, strength, or vigor : weakness

… the growing impotence of governments in the face of corporate willfulness and regional factionalism.

—Alan Wexelblat

b

: an abnormal physical or psychological state of a male characterized by inability to engage in sexual intercourse because of failure to have or maintain an erection : erectile dysfunction

Synonyms

• inability
• inadequacy
• incapability
• incapacity
• incompetence
• incompetency
• ineptitude
• insufficiency
• powerlessness

Examples of impotence in a Sentence

the congressional committee's essential impotence in affecting the management of the war was frustrating to its members

Recent Examples on the Web

And therein lies a sense of impotence, because our ability to discern the consequential ghoulishness of this nation’s policies–LOL that’s crazy!–doesn’t in and of itself constitute resistance. —Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025

On the same day that Trump regaled the more boisterous crowd just across the river at CPAC with his tales of political retribution, several hundred activists and insiders gathered in downtown D.C. to make sense of their current impotence. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025

So far, this war has been characterized by stunning Israeli tactical successes, as well as the seeming impotence of Iran and its once vaunted network of regional proxies in its response. —Joshua Keating, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

Democrats’ impotence had no clearer moment of illustration than Republicans’ willingness to change the rules to avoid a tough vote in the next few weeks. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

impotence

noun

im·​po·​tence ˈim-pət-ən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being impotent

Medical Definition

impotence

noun

im·​po·​tence ˈim-pət-ən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of not being potent

drug-resistant bacteria are a virulent indicator of the growing impotence of antibiotics

2

: an abnormal physical or psychological state of a male characterized by inability to engage in sexual intercourse because of failure to have or maintain an erection

called also erectile dysfunction