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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of helpless
In his only opportunity as the starter, Davis smashed a helpless Jets team for 152 total yards on 23 touches.
—
Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Because without them, we are often left with a patient who is terrified, paranoid, screaming, or striking out — and a family that is exhausted, helpless, and scared.
—Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025
While beloved by most New Yorkers, the city was helpless to preserve the station because no law existed to prevent its destruction.
—Michael S. Hiller, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
Undermine growth and development so people feel stuck and helpless.
—Csaba Toth, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Because without them, we are often left with a patient who is terrified, paranoid, screaming, or striking out — and a family that is exhausted, helpless, and scared.
—Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025
While beloved by most New Yorkers, the city was helpless to preserve the station because no law existed to prevent its destruction.
—Michael S. Hiller, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
Undermine growth and development so people feel stuck and helpless.
—Csaba Toth, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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But the program which pays for more than four of every 10 U.S. births is vulnerable to deep budget cuts — part of the cost of renewing Trump’s tax breaks that favor the wealthy.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2025
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Even worse, cucurbit plants are vulnerable to many of the same disease problems, and can attract more pests to your watermelon plants.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Caring for a paralyzed dog has not been without its challenges.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
12 May 2025
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But some economists doubt that resilience will persist, with employers feeling paralyzed by Trump’s confusing on-again off-again tariff blitz.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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What's more, the researchers found that the mice on the WD plan were also more susceptible to Salmonella infections.—
Michael Franco
May 11,
New Atlas,
11 May 2025
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This depends on the material, but faux leather is usually less susceptible to damage from steam.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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The report also included a number of ‘weak’ odor sources observed during the study, including odors emanating from the Curaleaf cannabis facility on Britt Road and Goldflower Cannabis facility on Niles Road.—
James Wilkins,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 May 2025
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Thompson’s brother Maurice, who allegedly drove the chasing Chevrolet Equinox, was granted bail in October — indicating a potentially weak case.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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And this was what Navone, the world No. 99 but a game competitor on red clay, was powerless to fend off.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
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Financial planning is powerless to remedy an unknown illness.—
Tim Maurer,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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The Trump administration has pulled the plug on a program that provides legal help to immigrants who are determined mentally incompetent, according to a lawsuit filed by immigration legal groups.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC news,
6 May 2025
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City Council, do the right thing for once and put it on the ballot to overturn the requirement of requiring our incompetent city management to do this.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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