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
The sunbathers of sleepy Amity Bay are helpless against the unexpected great white shark that hunts their coasts; Spielberg’s talent for suspense, effective horror shocks, and ingenious reinvention of the classic animal-attack movie remain as impressive as ever.
—
Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
They’re just fed up of being helpless.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
That also doesn't mean the Tigers are helpless without their ace because the team has a strong pitching staff as a whole.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
However, in the immediate aftermath of something horrible, when everyone feels helpless, prayer can be a good place to go at the start, said Collins.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
They’re just fed up of being helpless.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
That also doesn't mean the Tigers are helpless without their ace because the team has a strong pitching staff as a whole.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
However, in the immediate aftermath of something horrible, when everyone feels helpless, prayer can be a good place to go at the start, said Collins.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
-
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration granted approval for COVID-19 vaccine doses for people over age 65, who are most vulnerable to severe infections.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Recent studies have shown entry-level positions especially vulnerable to automation are being scaled back thanks to AI.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Feeling paralyzed in your job search?—
Maria Gracia Santillana Linares,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Her son was left paralyzed from the mid-chest down, had to have his left leg amputated at the knee and two thirds of his bowel removed — and almost a month later, is still in the hospital, where he is intubated and fighting an infection.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The largest member of the grass family, bamboo is combustible, susceptible to deterioration and weaker in rain, raising legitimate questions about its durability, Arup’s Ho said.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Those are straightforward power rushes designed to contain mobile quarterbacks rather than spamming exotic pressure looks that could leave the defensive line susceptible to holes.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Royals made a lot of weak contact, which resulted in a mix of groundouts.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Last week, a weaker-than-expected jobs report added to expectations of an imminent rate cut by the central bank.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In three negative market periods from above (2001, 2007, 2019), it could be argued the Fed was either late to cut or was powerless to provide an immediate cushion to the market.—
Randy Watts,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The text is meant to illustrate (with humor) just how powerless some parents feel during the weaning process.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The man was charged with multiple felony charges but found incompetent to stand trial.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Esmeralda is incompetent, egotistic, and, thanks to Impacciatore’s ace comedic timing, totally fabulous.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share