helpless

1 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 defenseless, exposed, susceptible, undefended, unguarded, unprotected, unresistant, vulnerable Related Words indefensible, untenable; uncovered, unsafe; overcome, preyed (on or upon); disarmed, passive, resistless, unarmed; feeble, frail, weak; abandoned, high and dry, marooned Phrases in the lurch Near Antonyms defensible; covered, fortified, safe, screened, secure, sheltered; armed, armored; immune, impenetrable, impregnable, invincible, strong, unassailable, unbeatable, unconquerable; almighty, omnipotent Antonyms guarded, invulnerable, protected, resistant, shielded

2 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 hamstrung, handcuffed, powerless, high and dry, hog-tied, impotent, impuissant, paralyzed, weakRelated Words incapable, incompetent, ineffective, ineffectual, inept, unfit, useless; feeble, frail, infirm, passive, spineless, supine, unaggressiveNear Antonyms able, capable, competent, effective, efficient; authoritarian, autocratic (also autocratical), despotic, dictatorial, magisterial, tyrannical (also tyrannic); dominant, dynamic, energetic, forceful, robust, sturdy, tough, vigorous; important, major, significant; high-level, senior, topAntonyms mighty, potent, powerful, puissant, strong