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impotent

adjective

ˈim-pə-tənt How to pronounce impotent (audio)
Definition of impotentnext
1
as in sterile
not able to produce fruit or offspring most mules are impotent

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose an impotent ruler who was just a figurehead

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impotent Decadence is the vanity of bodybuilders made impotent by steroids. — Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026 The Iranian regime is being rendered impotent. — FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026 Even in places that offer highly advanced health care, doctors have felt impotent trying to undo the damage when these horrors return. — Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026 This unsettling thriller about impotent (emotionally, literally) university professor Ali (Turkish star Ekin Koç), on the path to vengeance after the suspicious death of his mother, scored strong reviews (including my own) and the World Cinema Directing Award out of the Utah festival. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impotent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impotent
  1. sterile
  2. helpless
  3. barren
  4. paralyzed
  5. weak
Adjective
  • Decades ago, the creation and release of sterile flies to interrupt the pest’s breeding cycle was key to driving it out.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Principal Andrew Kearl said work went into making sure the school, which has nearly 1,400 students, felt warm rather than sterile, the way new buildings sometimes can.
    — Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of sterile
Adjective
  • Y’know, the two living, breathing, helpless children forced to sit idle while their mother and (almost) step-father constantly and brazenly risk abandoning them.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Muslims who are peace-loving and helpless also need a hand up.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of helpless
Adjective
  • Despite an aging roster, a barren farm system and a minus-38 run differential, the Astros remain in position for their 10th playoff berth in 12 years.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Without vegetation, a barren burn scar allows runoff to flow more quickly.
    — Jamie Stengle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of barren
Adjective
  • Lindsay Clancy was accused of strangling the three children with workout bands and then attempted suicide, including by jumping out a window, leaving her paralyzed.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Clancy later jumped from a second-story window in an apparent suicide attempt, which left her paralyzed from the waist down.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of paralyzed
Adjective
  • Ferries are a common method of travel and accidents occur regularly, in part due to weak enforcement of safety standards.
    — IMAN SATRIA, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
  • This time a year ago, a weak La Niña — El Niño’s cool counterpart — was in place, and only a handful of other years have had such a rapid flip to a potent El Niño, including the strongest ever event from 1982 to 1983.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of weak

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impotency
impotent
impotently
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Cite this Entry

“Impotent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impotent. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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