as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of powerless
Social media has theoretically given every fan a voice, but in reality supporters have never been so powerless.
—
Nick Miller, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
In the late 1830s, as a devastating financial crisis bankrupted antislavery societies across the North, the movement seemed splintered and powerless to keep up its petition pressure campaign.
—Time, 24 Sep. 2025
At a time where many feel powerless against gun violence, this student's bravery proves that each of us has the ability to make a difference.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 23 Sep. 2025
Even under the 1995 framework, regulators are not powerless.
—Lenwood V. Long, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Nick Miller, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
In the late 1830s, as a devastating financial crisis bankrupted antislavery societies across the North, the movement seemed splintered and powerless to keep up its petition pressure campaign.
—Time, 24 Sep. 2025
At a time where many feel powerless against gun violence, this student's bravery proves that each of us has the ability to make a difference.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 23 Sep. 2025
Even under the 1995 framework, regulators are not powerless.
—Lenwood V. Long, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
Adjective
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At first, the doctor’s sympathies would be with the family, who seemed helpless given their lack of autonomy and the dictates of their circumstances.—
Ayşegül Savaş,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Cheryl Harris Gates, 43, of Charlotte, is also charged with contaminating food or drink to render one mentally incapacitated or physically helpless; stalking; and damage to property.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In August, Elon Musk’s Neuralink expanded to the UK with a clinical study testing its brain chip to help paralyzed patients control devices through thought.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
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Reeve was thrown from his horse and landed on his head, resulting in a severe spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down.—
Maddie Garfinkle,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What has changed is that higher ed itself is arguably weaker than ever.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
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In fact, weather models vary widely on how strong Lorenzo could get in the coming days, ranging from a weak tropical storm to a Category 2 hurricane, the hurricane center said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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