as in powerlessness
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Recent Examples of helplessness
Three hours later, when the team recognized the severity of the extravasation injury, professional awareness gave way to primal helplessness.
—
Nisha Narayanan, STAT, 5 June 2026
Such a statistic often provokes a familiar gamut of responses from those who read it, from shock, disgust and anger to a debilitating sense of helplessness.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Detainees can also feel helplessness because of the complexity surrounding immigration law.
—CBS News, 27 May 2026
Linda wields her absolute power over Bradley like a cudgel, exploiting his helplessness to emotionally abuse and manipulate him.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026
The giant numbers on gas station signs become daily reminders of economic pressure, creating feelings of helplessness and financial insecurity, even among middle-income workers.
—Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
There is a sort of helplessness that comes with being a trainer on race day.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
This helplessness is often reinforced through societal messaging, but the impact of this on a relationship can be a hefty one.
—Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
Retí’s is the standout performance, cogently mapping a mother’s tenacity buckling under a mounting feeling of helplessness at watching her child disappear into a mystery.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Nisha Narayanan, STAT, 5 June 2026
Such a statistic often provokes a familiar gamut of responses from those who read it, from shock, disgust and anger to a debilitating sense of helplessness.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Detainees can also feel helplessness because of the complexity surrounding immigration law.
—CBS News, 27 May 2026
Linda wields her absolute power over Bradley like a cudgel, exploiting his helplessness to emotionally abuse and manipulate him.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026
The giant numbers on gas station signs become daily reminders of economic pressure, creating feelings of helplessness and financial insecurity, even among middle-income workers.
—Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
There is a sort of helplessness that comes with being a trainer on race day.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
This helplessness is often reinforced through societal messaging, but the impact of this on a relationship can be a hefty one.
—Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
Retí’s is the standout performance, cogently mapping a mother’s tenacity buckling under a mounting feeling of helplessness at watching her child disappear into a mystery.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helplessness
Noun
-
Ishiguro does not see acceptance of powerlessness as inherently a tragedy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
-
As far as going through life’s grand stages is concerned, this has been a double-whammy of pain and powerlessness.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, separate election security advocates have raised concerns about the technology's vulnerability to potential hacking attempts and transparency issues surrounding QR code tabulation.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
Mythos, unveiled in April, was able to find critical vulnerabilities in many key systems.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Strawberry Planters Strawberries require unique growing conditions due to their shallow roots, trailing growth, and susceptibility to pests and root rot.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
-
But the gaps this outbreak revealed in our ability to respond, and our immense susceptibility to a virus more capable and catastrophic, will remain.—
Craig Spencer,
STAT,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helplessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helplessness. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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