as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
cursed his powerlessness to affect the outcome of his friend's life-threatening illness
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Recent Examples of powerlessness
Ishiguro does not see acceptance of powerlessness as inherently a tragedy.
—
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
As far as going through life’s grand stages is concerned, this has been a double-whammy of pain and powerlessness.
—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
Violence can come from feelings of powerlessness and desperation.
—
Max Gao,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.
—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the deepest conflict is not between red and blue, but between power and powerlessness.
—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Outcry is meant as an antidote to those feelings of powerlessness.
—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
This oscillation between rage at one’s own powerlessness and fantasies of violence is the song’s motive force.
—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
Dead Man’s Wire demonstrates the ultimate powerlessness of both captor and captive.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
As far as going through life’s grand stages is concerned, this has been a double-whammy of pain and powerlessness.
—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
Violence can come from feelings of powerlessness and desperation.
—
Max Gao,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.
—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the deepest conflict is not between red and blue, but between power and powerlessness.
—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Outcry is meant as an antidote to those feelings of powerlessness.
—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
This oscillation between rage at one’s own powerlessness and fantasies of violence is the song’s motive force.
—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
Dead Man’s Wire demonstrates the ultimate powerlessness of both captor and captive.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerlessness
inability
Noun
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On Tuesday, protesters were asked to bring diapers and write demands for Pradhan’s resignation on them – a satirical swipe at the government’s inability to stop exam leaks, Dipke said.
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This latest collapse, one where the bullpen allowed seven runs over three innings and Caleb Kilian allowed four in the ninth, serves as the latest example of the front office’s inability to reinforce a bullpen that needed reinforcements this winter.
Cite this Entry
“Powerlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerlessness. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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