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
An Oklahoma fire department is celebrating a win after rescuing a helpless animal that found itself in a dangerous — and unsanitary — situation.
—
Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2025
But most unforgettable are the fantastic driving sequences and the almost casually riveting performances — with James Taylor making for a perfectly intense (and surprisingly charismatic) lead, an ideal foil for the garrulous, slightly helpless Oates.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
The emotional emptiness can feel unbearable, and the practical demands only add to the turmoil, often leaving the surviving spouse feeling lost and helpless.
—David Kudla, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Outside, helpless to stop them, someone pulled up and simply leaned on his horn.
—Emily Witt, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2025
But most unforgettable are the fantastic driving sequences and the almost casually riveting performances — with James Taylor making for a perfectly intense (and surprisingly charismatic) lead, an ideal foil for the garrulous, slightly helpless Oates.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
The emotional emptiness can feel unbearable, and the practical demands only add to the turmoil, often leaving the surviving spouse feeling lost and helpless.
—David Kudla, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Outside, helpless to stop them, someone pulled up and simply leaned on his horn.
—Emily Witt, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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These offenders swarm these vulnerable victims, usually Asian, older females.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
4 July 2025
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Along the way, Manuel opened a small nonprofit to supply basic needs for Native foster kids that grew into a statewide cultural support service for the most vulnerable youth.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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For Maria, shifting health care policies have left her feeling paralyzed.—
Kff Health News,
Oc Register,
26 June 2025
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Heavenly Ever After After decades of working as a loan shark to support herself and her paralyzed husband, Lee Hae-sook (Kim Hye-ja) dies shortly after his passing and arrives in Heaven.—
Regina Kim,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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This results in long, deep wounds in the surrounding flesh that are also susceptible to secondary bacterial infections, causing severe pain, and potentially death if left untreated.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
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Being able to track this is super helpful because male cats are more susceptible to UTIs, which can be potentially life-threatening.—
Molly Higgins,
Wired News,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Precious metals and mining stocks were weak across both markets.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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In October 2005, a Finnish court acquitted Gustafsson, ruling the evidence against him was too weak and inconsistent.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert explained that conspiratorial thinking usually spikes during moments of collective fear and uncertainty, especially during weather events in which people feel powerless.—
Pilar Melendez,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
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Why workers aren’t powerless Not all AI oversight is negative.—
Andrew Fennell,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Some seemed to be downright incompetent, Marquez told the jury.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
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The defense has argued that others possibly killed O’Keefe inside that home and that the police were either too incompetent or corrupt to investigate that angle.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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