as in powerlessness
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Recent Examples of helplessness
Watching events unfold in a place that is so emotionally close to you while being physically distant creates a constant sense of helplessness.
—
Emily Chan, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
In psychological terms, displacement occurs when complex fear, anger, or helplessness is redirected toward a more available target.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Constant approvals feel like safety but create latency and helplessness.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
The Global Compassion Coalition says that the first step to overcoming helplessness is to practice acceptance instead of resistance, which is a hard pill to take at the moment.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Over time, the brain links conflict with helplessness.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Perceived as constantly available, thanks to stable Dutch internet service, the refugees described a state of connected helplessness.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
The helplessness of being a spectator.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
The film crashed down onto Earth at a moment as audiences worldwide reeled from the helplessness of their own global crisis.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
Emily Chan, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
In psychological terms, displacement occurs when complex fear, anger, or helplessness is redirected toward a more available target.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Constant approvals feel like safety but create latency and helplessness.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
The Global Compassion Coalition says that the first step to overcoming helplessness is to practice acceptance instead of resistance, which is a hard pill to take at the moment.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Over time, the brain links conflict with helplessness.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Perceived as constantly available, thanks to stable Dutch internet service, the refugees described a state of connected helplessness.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
The helplessness of being a spectator.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
The film crashed down onto Earth at a moment as audiences worldwide reeled from the helplessness of their own global crisis.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helplessness
Noun
-
Young far-right politicians may well understand that returning to the nation-state means choosing powerlessness.—
Joseph de Weck,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
-
What is this feeling of powerlessness?—
Gregg Goldstein,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Unions view this hesitation as a critical vulnerability that could affect his viability in presidential primary contests where labor organizing remains essential to campaign success.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Fear of vulnerability Trusting someone with your heart is inherently risky.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
What has changed is not human susceptibility but machine competence.—
Deb Roy,
The Atlantic,
15 Feb. 2026
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There needs to be more careful selection of judges to vet for susceptibility to corruption, and more transparency in how scores are derived.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helplessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helplessness. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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