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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of helpless
Yet the Rocket have been outscored 15-4 through three games, looking helpless against a Checkers team that has gotten red hot at exactly the right time.
—
Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2025
From the dugout at San Siro, Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco were helpless.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 May 2025
A lot of families all across the country feel pretty helpless.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 25 May 2025
Additionally, some dogs, particularly breeds with extreme infantile traits (such as pugs and French bulldogs), may appear as helpless, harmless, and innocent as small children.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2025
From the dugout at San Siro, Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco were helpless.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 May 2025
A lot of families all across the country feel pretty helpless.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 25 May 2025
Additionally, some dogs, particularly breeds with extreme infantile traits (such as pugs and French bulldogs), may appear as helpless, harmless, and innocent as small children.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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Critics argue that these immigration raids instill fear in vulnerable communities and may infringe on constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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Now Congress is threatening these laws, which will leave hundreds of millions of Americans vulnerable to AI harm by abolishing those state law protections.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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In the past, contestants have admitted to experiencing a wide range of emotions in this particularly vulnerable moment: overwhelmed, nervous, paralyzed, and yeah, even terrified.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside Online,
13 June 2025
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Morgan learned that her husband was effectively paralyzed and unable to speak.—
David W. Brown,
New Yorker,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Immigrants are also more susceptible to invisibility as their credit file in the U.S. does not take into account their credit history in their origin country.—
Afshan Musani,
CNBC,
11 June 2025
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New research from the United Kingdom’s Royal Veterinary College also indicates that some dog breeds may be more susceptible.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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In sum, there is a weak case, at best, for some kind of standardization of non-financial KPIs.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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These are usually towels that are thin and stitched with weak, subpar quality threads.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Women weren’t supposed to be powerless anymore, exactly; Katherine owned a rifle and showed her kids how to use a shotgun.—
Alexis Okeowo,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
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Researchers suggest that often, their natural need for connection with their parents renders the golden child powerless to choose their well-being over the relationship.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
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Pop culture has abetted this disheartening pattern, consistently depicting fathers as incompetent ...—
Gregory M. Collins,
National Review,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
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