powerless

adjective

pow·​er·​less ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs How to pronounce powerless (audio)
1
: devoid of strength or resources
powerless victims
2
: lacking the authority or capacity to act
was powerless to help
powerlessly adverb
powerlessness noun

Examples of powerless in a Sentence

I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
O'Neill noted that if the boat with the 21 migrants had made its way into the harbor and was stopped by the Orange County Sheriff's Department, which patrols the area, local law enforcement would have been powerless to do anything. Louis Casiano, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024 The Carter administration, in its last days, seemed powerless to save him. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 26 Nov. 2024 Even as the balance struggles deepened, leaving Verstappen, a driver who thrives off confidence in the connection between his inputs and the car on the road, to feel powerless against his rivals at points, the points kept coming in. Luke Smith, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024 Hope and joy, by contrast, are essential elements of political change, and celebrating wins is a worthy act of defiance against those who would prefer that the average person feel powerless. Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for powerless 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of powerless was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near powerless

Cite this Entry

“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powerless. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

powerless

adjective
pow·​er·​less ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs How to pronounce powerless (audio)
1
: lacking power, force, or energy
2
: lacking authority to act
powerlessly adverb
powerlessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on powerless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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