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
  • The Lake Wylie Marine Commission worked with those group to introduce 1,800 sterile Asian grass carp to Lake Wylie in 2009.
    — John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • Her wrists were bandaged and a sterile pad was placed on her neck, Dougherty said.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of sterile
Adjective
  • The blast rings out as the helpless attorney watches in horror.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
  • Schiavio is slipped in on the right and his first-time shot goes in off the crossbar with Planicka a mere, helpless spectator.
    — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of helpless
Adjective
  • The primary targets are obvious; pitchers Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon and Michael King could be deployed to replenish a largely barren farm system.
    — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • In many cases, trees that in years past have been filled with fruit are this year barren.
    — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of barren
Adjective
  • After strangling the children in the basement of her home with exercise bands, Clancy attempted to kill herself by jumping out of the window of her Duxbury home, leaving her paralyzed.
    — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2026
  • This is a major escalation for the kingdom, which had re-routed much of its oil exports through Red Sea ports as the Strait of Hormuz remains paralyzed.
    — Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of paralyzed
Adjective
  • Last fall, major lenders reported that business was booming despite a sluggish art market, arguing that collectors preferred borrowing against valuable works rather than selling into weaker conditions.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 29 July 2026
  • Goods consumption is weak, while services consumption is outperforming, running above headline GDP growth, Liao said.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Definition of weak

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impotent
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Cite this Entry

“Impotent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impotent. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of impotent for Spanish Speakers

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