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
But no international force has yet been deployed, and the governance committee that has been appointed is largely powerless.
—
Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Twin Cities history holds many lessons for civic culture-building in a divided time, when many feel powerless and hopeless.
—Harry Boyte, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
This behavior is designed to make the people feel powerless and the governing authority impenetrable.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
This predatory dynamic leaves consumers powerless and leads to market failure.
—Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Twin Cities history holds many lessons for civic culture-building in a divided time, when many feel powerless and hopeless.
—Harry Boyte, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
This behavior is designed to make the people feel powerless and the governing authority impenetrable.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
This predatory dynamic leaves consumers powerless and leads to market failure.
—Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
Adjective
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But nobody should be mad at CUSA, merely a helpless passenger.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Wearing what’s possibly the most embarrassing bridal headdress in the history of nuptials, Suzanna looks even more helpless and hopeless.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Without herd immunity to protect him, a 20-year-old unvaccinated man became paralyzed.—
Jon LaPook,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
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Three of the teenagers suffered serious injuries; Cabey was left paralyzed.—
Michael Bobelian,
Washington Post,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The past four years of conflict have exposed more than one faulty assumption, not least the previously widespread belief even among Kyiv’s allies that Ukraine would be too weak, too disorganized, to resist a full-scale invasion.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Continue reading … PARTY RECKONING — Cortez Masto admits Democrats have been 'weak on immigration,' chides Biden.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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