Definition of powerless
1 : devoid of strength or resources powerless victims
2 : lacking the authority or capacity to act was powerless to help
powerlessly
adverbpowerlessness
nounRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of powerless in a Sentence
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation.
Recent Examples of powerless from the Web
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The violent protests added to pressure on Mr. Ghani's fragile and divided government, which has been powerless to stop a string of high profile attacks in the capital that have killed hundreds of civilians over recent months.
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In this ominous, claustrophobic novel, Underdown imagines his pregnant, widowed sister, who sees the malignant forces at work but is powerless to resist.
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This music video is our collective battle cry against those who seek to harm the innocent and the powerless.
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A call for help Boney, the Lanesboro officer, said that the many honest prison employees felt powerless, too.
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A common theme in his public career was a belief in the power of government to lift up communities that had been traditionally poor or powerless.
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Abbas has also appeared powerless to prevent new Israeli settlements, military aggression, and the siege on Gaza.
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Up the coast in Belfast, my sister was powerless for 11 days.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'powerless'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
15th Century
First Known Use of powerless
15th century
POWERLESS Defined for English Language Learners
powerless
playDefinition of powerless for English Language Learners
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: having no power : unable to do something or to stop something
POWERLESS Defined for Kids
powerless
playDefinition of powerless for Students
: without power, strength, authority, or influence He was powerless to stop them.
Learn More about powerless
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for powerless Spanish Central: Translation of powerless Nglish: Translation of powerless for Spanish speakers
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