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
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Recent Examples of impotent
Riding a four-game winning streak and a two-goal lead into the second intermission, the Penguins looked impotent while being steamrolled in the third period on Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena, falling 4-2 to the New York Islanders.
—
Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
Were Cocoa’s leaders impotent in convincing Orlando Health to repair it, in order to keep a commitment to Cocoa’s health?
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
In other words, Musk’s team was in effect rendering impotent an agency that had the power to regulate elements of his business.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2025
Washington committed four turnovers in the NFC Championship Game and remained impotent stopping the run, but the offense moved the ball.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impotent
Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
Were Cocoa’s leaders impotent in convincing Orlando Health to repair it, in order to keep a commitment to Cocoa’s health?
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
In other words, Musk’s team was in effect rendering impotent an agency that had the power to regulate elements of his business.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2025
Washington committed four turnovers in the NFC Championship Game and remained impotent stopping the run, but the offense moved the ball.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impotent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impotent
Adjective
-
With two treatments, the capybaras should be sterile for at least a few months.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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The lower levels of the parking garage are sterile and lifeless — a liminal space of flickering lights and zero cars.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In his only opportunity as the starter, Davis smashed a helpless Jets team for 152 total yards on 23 touches.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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Because without them, we are often left with a patient who is terrified, paranoid, screaming, or striking out — and a family that is exhausted, helpless, and scared.—
Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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So, why would an elite striker commit to two potentially barren years?—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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The project’s fertilizer by-product will support farmers and transform barren land into fertile farmland, according to Prasad.—
Ian Sayson,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Before the polio vaccine was introduced in 1955, tens of thousands of children were catching the disease every year; thousands of them died, and more were left paralyzed.—
Bruce Handy,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
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Because tariffs are a type of taxation, Mr. Trump’s plan is among the largest tax increases in decades, analysts say, a policy change that sent the stock market reeling, paralyzed corporate investment and shoved the economy closer to a recession.—
Andrew Duehren,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Weak Treasury Demand Moved Rates More recently, in the wake of the administration’s chaotic trade policy rollout, Treasury security auctions did not go as expected, with weak demand pushing rates up higher than everyone expected.—
Norbert Michel,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Iran was at its weakest point since the 1980s, maybe since the Iranian revolution in 1979.—
Quinn Scanlan,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impotent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impotent. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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