HELPLESS Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

helpless

adjective

ˈhel-pləs

Definition of helpless

as in vulnerable

lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack after the storm we found a helpless baby bird that had fallen out of its nest

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in paralyzed

unable to act or achieve one's purpose we watched, feeling helpless, as the vase slipped from her hand and crashed to the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of helpless The helpless young tailor of twenty-one years of age had a keen nose. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Ukraine has been largely helpless in similar Russian onslaughts in recent weeks. — Tom Bowman, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026 His strike took a wicked deflection off Lewis Brunt, and the ball looped beyond the helpless Callum Burton. — James Pearce, New York Times, 30 July 2026 The blast rings out as the helpless attorney watches in horror. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for helpless

Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless

Adjective

The composite score of cumulative impacts reflects communities in Chicago that are most burdened by pollution and most vulnerable to its effects.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Damage to civilian infrastructure, including electricity, water and gas systems, could once again leave millions vulnerable during the harsh winter months, raising fears of a repeat of last winter’s severe conditions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of vulnerable

Adjective

Their mother was lying in the yard after jumping out a second-story window, and remains paralyzed from the waist down.

— Michael Casey, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Hines, 66, has seized on the problems with the previous execution, saying his health issues — including two strokes that left him partially paralyzed — increase the risk of difficulties at his execution.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of paralyzed

Adjective

In fact there are a number of herbs, vitamins, and prescription medications that can make your skin especially susceptible to sunburn, including some SSRIs, hypertension medications, and cholesterol-lowering medications.

— Diana Helmuth, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
Child development experts have noted teenagers are more susceptible to social comparison than adults, so products that reward popularity can be more harmful to their mental health.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

The Commerce Department released a report Friday showing weak retail sales in July.

— CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Following his coach and uncle Toni’s advice, Nadal finally beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2008, breaking Federer’s Open-Era-record five-year winning streak on grass, by playing high balls to Federer’s back hand, his weak point.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

And Aparna Nancherla warms up the ice-cold cast of characters as Matt and Jake’s sympathetic but powerless buddy in HR.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Cold comfort for Gaza’s two million residents, who remain shut out of the conversation and all but powerless to determine their fate.

— Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of powerless

Adjective

The idea that government, which has been defined as incompetent and inefficient for decades, could provide grocery abundance and variety better than Walmart and Costco has triggered a visceral reaction among critics.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
His costly miscalculation exploded into a life-and-death war fiasco that an incompetent and dishonest administration is now incapable of ending.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026