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
Both stated that the caller had spoken to a doctor about a curable virus that could cause impotence if not treated.
—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
19 Dec. 2025
The bulk of Jack’s patents were for medical devices, among them a knife used for hair transplants and a prosthetic device for overcoming male impotence.
—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
That’s one full game of brilliance, and another full game of impotence.
—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
That there is impotence and cancer and infidelity and vanity and loss.
—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impotence
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
19 Dec. 2025
The bulk of Jack’s patents were for medical devices, among them a knife used for hair transplants and a prosthetic device for overcoming male impotence.
—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
That’s one full game of brilliance, and another full game of impotence.
—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
That there is impotence and cancer and infidelity and vanity and loss.
—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impotence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impotence
inability
Noun
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On Tuesday, protesters were asked to bring diapers and write demands for Pradhan’s resignation on them – a satirical swipe at the government’s inability to stop exam leaks, Dipke said.
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This latest collapse, one where the bullpen allowed seven runs over three innings and Caleb Kilian allowed four in the ninth, serves as the latest example of the front office’s inability to reinforce a bullpen that needed reinforcements this winter.
Cite this Entry
“Impotence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impotence. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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