as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 powerless
Recording as resistance Minnesota officials, sensing that residents feel relatively powerless amid the ICE surge in the state, have urged residents to bear witness, suggesting that the phones in their pockets are a form of power.
—
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
The opponents of the mullahs are, for now, powerless against them.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
Even after 23 years as a buyer and seller, eBay left me powerless.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
The police are powerless and the FBI is complicit.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
The opponents of the mullahs are, for now, powerless against them.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
Even after 23 years as a buyer and seller, eBay left me powerless.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
The police are powerless and the FBI is complicit.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
Adjective
-
Overall, Joseph’s defense generated five turnovers but looked often helpless against James Cook on the ground (24 carries for 117 yards) or Kincaid (six catches for 83 yards and a score).—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Parents remain helpless between the clutching fear and unavoidable inaction.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Clancy allegedly strangled her three children and then tried to kill herself by jumping out a window in 2023, leaving her paralyzed from the sternum down.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Smith, an Arizona husband and father, is completely paralyzed and relies on a ventilator to breathe.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Those who may have moved to the area after the winter of 2022, may have a pretty weak opinion of what our winters are like here.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Moreover, the notion the public will meekly accept weaker radiation standards without explanation seems foolhardy.—
Katy Huff,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
