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
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 powerlessness
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
One year before Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire published their compendium of Greek myths, Cicellis released her second work of fiction, The Way to Colonos, which ruthlessly dramatizes the limits of individual freedom and the agony of facing one’s powerlessness.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
There is no solution except to grow up, acknowledge our powerlessness, and come to terms with our despair.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Dope Sick Love gets its power from its powerlessness.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025
Some find comfort in attending vigils or religious services to honor the victims, as coming together in solidarity can ease the sense of powerlessness.
—Kriti Gupta, Refinery29, 17 Dec. 2025
Would-be autocrats create environments of fear and powerlessness, using intimidation, overwhelming force or political and legal attacks, and other coercive tactics to force acquiescence and chill democratic pushback.
—Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2025
This grim reality evokes a sense of sorrow and powerlessness among women in Paina Bujurg.
—Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
That type of breaking is undisciplined indulgence that is normally meant to terrorize and threaten people and is driven by people who operate from a place of smallness, ego fragility, and fear of their own powerlessness.
—Brené Brown, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
One year before Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire published their compendium of Greek myths, Cicellis released her second work of fiction, The Way to Colonos, which ruthlessly dramatizes the limits of individual freedom and the agony of facing one’s powerlessness.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
There is no solution except to grow up, acknowledge our powerlessness, and come to terms with our despair.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Dope Sick Love gets its power from its powerlessness.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025
Some find comfort in attending vigils or religious services to honor the victims, as coming together in solidarity can ease the sense of powerlessness.
—Kriti Gupta, Refinery29, 17 Dec. 2025
Would-be autocrats create environments of fear and powerlessness, using intimidation, overwhelming force or political and legal attacks, and other coercive tactics to force acquiescence and chill democratic pushback.
—Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2025
This grim reality evokes a sense of sorrow and powerlessness among women in Paina Bujurg.
—Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
That type of breaking is undisciplined indulgence that is normally meant to terrorize and threaten people and is driven by people who operate from a place of smallness, ego fragility, and fear of their own powerlessness.
—Brené Brown, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerlessness
inability
Noun
-
In 1949, a grand jury convened to discuss the inability of the LAPD’s homicide unit to solve murders, during which Short’s death was further investigated.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Sensabaugh sensation One direct byproduct of the Bulls’ inability to defend the point of attack is the possibility in any game for a relatively unknown player to rip off an ungodly amount of points.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Powerlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerlessness. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
