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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of helpless
But Lumet and screenwriter Frank Pierson ease up on the laughs as Sonny’s predicament grows more helpless, allowing the audience to feel his desperation as the drama barrels toward a tragic finale.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
The helpless and much persecuted turtles were cooked in a rich, creamy soup with chunks of meat.
—James Stout, Outside, 29 Mar. 2026
Operating up top, Hagens fed Gasseau down low on the right side and Gasseau zipped a perfect cross-ice pass to Letourneau, who ripped it past a helpless Muszelik.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Still helpless in the face of her new, ultrapublic life, and at a loss for how to re-center herself and her needs and wants within it, Carolyn has been spending most of her time in the loft.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
The helpless and much persecuted turtles were cooked in a rich, creamy soup with chunks of meat.
—James Stout, Outside, 29 Mar. 2026
Operating up top, Hagens fed Gasseau down low on the right side and Gasseau zipped a perfect cross-ice pass to Letourneau, who ripped it past a helpless Muszelik.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Still helpless in the face of her new, ultrapublic life, and at a loss for how to re-center herself and her needs and wants within it, Carolyn has been spending most of her time in the loft.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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But his Hamlet needs a stalwart supporting cast with whom to spar, and Ahmed tangles beautifully with Shakespeare veteran Timothy Spall, who plays Laertes’ father and family adviser Polonius, and Morfydd Clark as a steely but vulnerable Ophelia.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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Fortunately, some dryers are designed specifically to limit the damage done to vulnerable hair.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Instead of killing him, the musket ball to the back paralyzed Captain Cunningham from the waist down.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
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Every 90 minutes, our bodies go paralyzed while our brains become more active than during waking life.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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People who have migraines, as Jack did, are more susceptible to the condition, Schwedt said.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Young plants are most susceptible to damage and can be protected with repellents or temporary fencing when deer are active.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This time, economists say the job market and consumer spending are weaker, and there are no large government stimulus checks being issued to spur demand.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
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Then, a strong hit by Sennecke on fellow rookie Michael Misa gave way to a weak clearing attempt by former King Tyler Toffoli.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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One of NDiaye’s great strengths is her ability to establish an initial set of circumstances with such authority that the reader is almost powerless to question them.—
Kristen Roupenian,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Local leaders are not powerless.—
Russell Hancock,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In 2004, after years of incompetent, wasteful and corrupt agencies obstructing basic and legal public records requests, the California Assembly and Senate voted unanimously to put Proposition 59 before voters.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
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The homeless man accused of stabbing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on a North Carolina light-rail train has been deemed incompetent to stand trial in his state case, but federal authorities vowed the decision will not impact their own case against him.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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