powerless

adjective

pow·​er·​less ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs 

1

: devoid of strength or resources

powerless victims

2

: lacking the authority or capacity to act

was powerless to help

powerlessly adverb

powerlessness noun

Synonyms of powerless

• helpless
• paralyzed
• weak

Examples of powerless in a Sentence

I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, the lines between exploiter and exploited, powerful and powerless, hero and villain blur in ways that are sometimes satirical, sometimes sad and occasionally thrilling. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026

Technically, voters aren’t supposed to consider Play-In games, which is why the vote is scheduled to be wrapped up before those games tip off, but rules are powerless against human nature. —John Hollinger, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026

Even the biggest stars are often powerless to change this system, as Taylor Swift discovered on the Eras Tour. —Steve Knopper, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2026

In the milliseconds before a collision, truck drivers are often powerless to avert disaster. —Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

powerless

adjective

pow·​er·​less ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs 

1

: lacking power, force, or energy

2

: lacking authority to act

powerlessly adverb

powerlessness noun