impotent

adjective

im·​po·​tent ˈim-pə-tənt 

1

a

: not potent : lacking in power, strength, or vigor : helpless

b

: unable to engage in sexual intercourse because of inability to have and maintain an erection

broadly : sterile

2

obsolete : incapable of self-restraint : ungovernable

impotent noun

impotently adverb

Did you know?

A police department may be impotent to stop the flow of drugs into a neighborhood. A group of countries may be impotent to force another country to change its human-rights policies. The impotence of a prime minister may be shown by her inability to get an important piece of legislation passed. Impotent and impotence may also have a special meaning, when they refer to a man's inability to have sexual intercourse.

Synonyms

• sterile
• barren

Examples of impotent in a Sentence

an impotent ruler who was just a figurehead

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet the Jets' offense was again impotent. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2025

Ethics without efficiency are impotent. —Karlo Tanjuakio, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

What the Texas Legislature is doing is indefensible – gerrymandering necessarily involves taking portions of the electorate and rendering their voices impotent. —Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025

Their refusal to conform or obey is ultimately an impotent gesture against forces larger than themselves. —Jake Cole, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin impotent-, impotens, from in- + potent-, potens potent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

impotent

adjective

im·​po·​tent ˈim-pət-ənt 

1

: lacking in power or strength

2

: incapable of engaging in sexual intercourse

also : sterile sense 1

—usually used of males

impotently adverb

Medical Definition

impotent

adjective

im·​po·​tent ˈim-pət-ənt 

1

: not potent

an impotent vaccine

2

: unable to engage in sexual intercourse because of inability to have and maintain an erection

broadly : sterile