IMPUISSANCE Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

impuissance

noun

Definition of impuissance

as in impotence

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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 impuissance But all of that will be moot if Washington’s rushing attack is not significantly improved from the impuissance of last season. — Ben Baskin, SI.com, 14 June 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impuissance

Noun

Amid so much belabored meanness, meager appeals to conscience scan more like self-conscious obligation, easily subsumed by impotence.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
In the diaries, Pavese casts his impotence into a kind of worldview.

— Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of impotence

Noun

Could Kleist’s conjecture provide a key to their seeming vacancy, their resignation, their helplessness, suggesting that in their benighted condition lies spiritual perfection?

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
There are also horrifying incidents of helplessness and despair, as well as touching examples of hope, faith and redemption.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of helplessness

Noun

The study was designed to examine the psychological effects of authority and powerlessness in a prison setting, according to the university.

— Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026
New characters are introduced, many interesting details are offered, yet the narration never loses its focus, every sentence adding to the characters’ mounting sense of powerlessness in the face of such a tragic death.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of powerlessness

Noun

That’s likely to inspire either affection or immediate exhaustion, depending on your fondness for the infamously disgusting performance group.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
This summer, news reports revealed that multiple sailors had attempted to jump overboard amid shortages of fresh food, disruptions to hot water and laundry services and exhaustion.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of exhaustion

Noun

Tactics such as ragebait have only added to the fatigue, irritating enthusiasts already frustrated by the relentless churn of slop.

— Amy Francombe, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
That kind of anecdotal genre fatigue doesn’t establish an industry surplus — but the sentiment does suggest that even devoted horror fans sometimes need help pacing themselves.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fatigue

Noun

Stranger by the Lake is a bookend of sorts to La Piscine, as both films seem to condemn their characters, and by extension, the counterculture surrounding them, to a lassitude incapable of any moral authority.

— Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
The result of this lassitude is that cars still rule the streets.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025

Definition of lassitude

Noun

But John Bravender, a weather service warning coordination meteorologist, said 2026 has yielded a different type of weariness in Hawaii.

— John Raby, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Speaking after Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday, manager Xabi Alonso betrayed some weariness at the lack of closure.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of weariness

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Style

“Impuissance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impuissance. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impuissance

noun

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