as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
cursed his powerlessness to affect the outcome of his friend's life-threatening illness
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Recent Examples of powerlessness
The Wolf’s nudity could be read as a metaphor for his acceptance of his powerlessness, his willingness to listen with humility, and his purity.
—
Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Violence can come from feelings of powerlessness and desperation.
—Max Gao, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the deepest conflict is not between red and blue, but between power and powerlessness.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Outcry is meant as an antidote to those feelings of powerlessness.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
This oscillation between rage at one’s own powerlessness and fantasies of violence is the song’s motive force.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
Dead Man’s Wire demonstrates the ultimate powerlessness of both captor and captive.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
So that fundamental feeling of powerlessness in the face of larger, ominous and obscure forces doesn’t feel very crazy or conspiratorial to me.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Violence can come from feelings of powerlessness and desperation.
—Max Gao, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the deepest conflict is not between red and blue, but between power and powerlessness.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Outcry is meant as an antidote to those feelings of powerlessness.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
This oscillation between rage at one’s own powerlessness and fantasies of violence is the song’s motive force.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
Dead Man’s Wire demonstrates the ultimate powerlessness of both captor and captive.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
So that fundamental feeling of powerlessness in the face of larger, ominous and obscure forces doesn’t feel very crazy or conspiratorial to me.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerlessness
inability
Noun
-
The addition was a prompt injection, a form of AI attack that exploits an LLM’s inability to distinguish between legitimate user prompts and those from unauthorized, potentially malicious third parties.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
28 May 2026
-
Simon had been in the role for less than a year, after Bill Owens resigned last spring, citing the inability to enjoy editorial independence without corporate influence.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Powerlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerlessness. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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