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
Colorado continues to receive excellent starting pitching, but it’s been paired with a powerless, strikeout-prone offense.
—
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025
But when that moment finally came, Joe was powerless to help.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Fans are powerless to a certain degree about the people that take over their club.
—The Athletic Fc Podcast, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
In its initial stage, however, The Beacon is about empowering people who feel powerless.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025
But when that moment finally came, Joe was powerless to help.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Fans are powerless to a certain degree about the people that take over their club.
—The Athletic Fc Podcast, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
In its initial stage, however, The Beacon is about empowering people who feel powerless.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
Adjective
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In his only opportunity as the starter, Davis smashed a helpless Jets team for 152 total yards on 23 touches.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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Because without them, we are often left with a patient who is terrified, paranoid, screaming, or striking out — and a family that is exhausted, helpless, and scared.—
Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Before the polio vaccine was introduced in 1955, tens of thousands of children were catching the disease every year; thousands of them died, and more were left paralyzed.—
Bruce Handy,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
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Because tariffs are a type of taxation, Mr. Trump’s plan is among the largest tax increases in decades, analysts say, a policy change that sent the stock market reeling, paralyzed corporate investment and shoved the economy closer to a recession.—
Andrew Duehren,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Weak Treasury Demand Moved Rates More recently, in the wake of the administration’s chaotic trade policy rollout, Treasury security auctions did not go as expected, with weak demand pushing rates up higher than everyone expected.—
Norbert Michel,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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That’s why he’s been able to generate so much weak contact over the years.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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