IMPUISSANT Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

impuissant

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpwi-sᵊnt

Definition of impuissant

as in helpless

unable to act or achieve one's purpose claims that such restrictions on military interventions on foreign soil would render the nation an impuissant giant on the world stage

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for impuissant

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

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

The Falcons’ season begins this weekend; one that most are considering an evaluation year with an outside chance at playoff contention in a weak division.

— Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Palace are probably weaker at centre-back overall, though, and two loans are not ideal.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

While the official logline for Tracker‘s fourth season hasn’t been released, fans can expect to witness the fallout from Russell’s decision to leave Colter high and dry at the end of season 3.

— Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Lil Wayne is feeling remorseful after leaving fans in Maine high and dry.

— Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Definition of high and dry

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.

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impuissance

impuissant

impulse

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“Impuissant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impuissant. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of impuissant

adjective

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