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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Bronson, with the atomic scientists group, also said nuclear plants are vulnerable during conflicts, citing recent instances where reactors were specifically targeted during the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine War.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Overwatering can leave grass with weak roots and vulnerable to diseases, so stick to a schedule and spot-treat patches if needed.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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After colliding with a car that ended up in her racing path on Sunday, she's been left paralyzed from the neck down.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Adriana Maria, 16, was competing in a wrestling match at Matawan’s Old Bridge High School in January when a move left her paralyzed.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Just like any living creature, trees are susceptible to diseases.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
18 Apr. 2026
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Because there’s something about Toni Collette as a charismatic cult leader offering you a framework for your rage that feels like something Mae Martin would be susceptible to.—
Brittany Delay,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Small hail is possible, and an isolated weak/brief tornado can't be ruled out.—
Mary Ours,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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Sean McMorris, transparency, ethics and accountability program manager with California Common Cause, a nonpartisan government watchdog, said in an email Friday that heavy reliance on outside vendors can increase the risk of fraud or mismanagement if oversight is weak.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This verdict is a turning point for the live events industry and for every American who has felt powerless in the face of rising ticket costs.—
Letitia James,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, the lines between exploiter and exploited, powerful and powerless, hero and villain blur in ways that are sometimes satirical, sometimes sad and occasionally thrilling.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
An incompetent attorney general to fire.—
Jackie Calmes,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
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The North Texas mother charged with the 2022 murder of her 6-year-old son will be sent to a state hospital after being found incompetent to stand trial late last month, according to a judge's ruling Tuesday.—
Briauna Brown,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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