1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Scam reporting is currently fragmented and confusing, leaving victims feeling helpless.
—
Caroline Melear, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
Americans have gotten used to the idea that our government is helpless to get anything done.
—Philip K. Howard, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
Neighbors are feeling helpless, especially as tax season gets underway.
—Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Mick Vinter then put the Second Division side ahead with a shot from outside the penalty area before Dixie McNeil capped a stunning fightback three minutes later by volleying another Fox cross past a helpless Shilton.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Caroline Melear, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
Americans have gotten used to the idea that our government is helpless to get anything done.
—Philip K. Howard, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
Neighbors are feeling helpless, especially as tax season gets underway.
—Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Mick Vinter then put the Second Division side ahead with a shot from outside the penalty area before Dixie McNeil capped a stunning fightback three minutes later by volleying another Fox cross past a helpless Shilton.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
-
Children are particularly vulnerable due to their smaller size and natural reaction when scared.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The Orange County Register also published details of a February 2025 state investigation that found troubling practices at the hospital, which serves many poor and vulnerable patients.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Clancy allegedly strangled her three children and then tried to kill herself by jumping out a window in 2023, leaving her paralyzed from the sternum down.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Smith, an Arizona husband and father, is completely paralyzed and relies on a ventilator to breathe.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The human brain is highly susceptible to often unproductive mind-wandering, and modern technology has only made the problem worse.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Common Pests and Diseases Like all plants, hoyas can be susceptible to pests and diseases.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Those who may have moved to the area after the winter of 2022, may have a pretty weak opinion of what our winters are like here.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Moreover, the notion the public will meekly accept weaker radiation standards without explanation seems foolhardy.—
Katy Huff,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The neighbors gathering, shouting, whistling, screaming for help… help that is a message of love but like all love powerless to prevent the hurt from happening.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
As spectators, we are cursed to be onlookers — powerless to help, despite our desire to.—
Blake Simons,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In that case, he was found incompetent to stand trial and the case was referred to Hamilton County Probate Court.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In Indiana, there are five death row inmates, with one of the inmates being deemed incompetent to stand trial.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
