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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Recent Examples of powerless
Democrats seem powerless in mustering opposition, let alone understanding what’s really going on here.
—
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
The history books say that the French colonial regime exercised firm control over the emperor until the Japanese invasion ended French administration in Indochina in 1945; Bao Dai remained as an essentially powerless ruler until the Viet Minh seized power a few months later.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
Unfortunately for de Moura, Lemigova had already told not just her wife, but their daughters about all of the above, rendering her attempt at shaming her with that information totally powerless.
—James Factora, Them., 10 Oct. 2025
Its 93-page deregulatory manifesto reads like a wish list for turning passengers into powerless customers.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
The history books say that the French colonial regime exercised firm control over the emperor until the Japanese invasion ended French administration in Indochina in 1945; Bao Dai remained as an essentially powerless ruler until the Viet Minh seized power a few months later.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
Unfortunately for de Moura, Lemigova had already told not just her wife, but their daughters about all of the above, rendering her attempt at shaming her with that information totally powerless.
—James Factora, Them., 10 Oct. 2025
Its 93-page deregulatory manifesto reads like a wish list for turning passengers into powerless customers.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
Adjective
-
People eventually outgrow the helpless-baby stage.—
Anna Louie Sussman,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Without money and without a means to earn it, women are helpless to determine the course of their own lives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In a heartbreaking video, a partially paralyzed dog is caught twitching his paws in his sleep, and internet users can’t stop sobbing.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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After suddenly losing her voice in November 2022, Williams-Paisley was later diagnosed with a partially paralyzed vocal cord.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Western countries could exploit weak points in supply chains for many of Russia's advanced fighter jets, including by tightening up sanctions as Ukraine strikes Russia's industrial facilities, according to a new report.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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Respiratory difficulty, constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids and a weak and altered cry are among the symptoms of infant botulism.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.
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