as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the congressional committee's essential impotence in affecting the management of the war was frustrating to its members
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Recent Examples of impotence
Tempest’s description evokes a dreamlike horror, laced with black humor:
Men were still stuck in the mud all over the battlefield, imploring help to lift them out : half crazy with the sense of their own impotence, and the enemy shelling. . . .
—
Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
There have been encouraging signs in other games or even in consecutive games, only to have the Padres revert to being the offensive impatience and impotence.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
The surgery to remove the prostate is often done outpatient, and has low risk for incontinence and impotence, but can cause erectile dysfunction, which can be treated by medication.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Compare this to the feckless impotence of Donald Trump or Andrew Cuomo.
—Steven W. Thrasher
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for impotence
Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
There have been encouraging signs in other games or even in consecutive games, only to have the Padres revert to being the offensive impatience and impotence.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
The surgery to remove the prostate is often done outpatient, and has low risk for incontinence and impotence, but can cause erectile dysfunction, which can be treated by medication.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Compare this to the feckless impotence of Donald Trump or Andrew Cuomo.
—Steven W. Thrasher
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for impotence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impotence
inability
Noun
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Overuse of the members of Generation K — Jason Isringhausen, Bill Pulsipher and Paul Wilson — during their rookie seasons is often blamed for the trio’s inability to stay healthy and effective.—
Jerry Beach,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Roberts pointed to the Dodgers’ inability to support Yamamoto with more than one run against 42-year-old Justin Verlander – on a solo home run by Michael Conforto in the seventh inning – as part of the problem.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impotence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impotence. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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