impotence
noun
im·po·tence
ˈim-pə-tən(t)s 
: the quality or state of being impotent: such as
a
: lack of power, strength, or vigor : weakness
… the growing impotence of governments in the face of corporate willfulness and regional factionalism.—
Alan Wexelblat
Alan Wexelblat
b
: an abnormal physical or psychological state of a male characterized by inability to engage in sexual intercourse because of failure to have or maintain an erection : erectile dysfunction
Examples of impotence in a Sentence
the congressional committee's essential impotence in affecting the management of the war was frustrating to its members
Recent Examples on the Web
Immediate and permanent effects from treatment often include impotence and incontinence.
—Gina Kolata, New York Times, 20 May 2025
That includes impotence, incontinence and life-threatening infections.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Viagra’s marketing shifted the language around the issue, redefining it as erectile dysfunction rather than impotence.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
For Brazil in particular, such impotence in the face of a geopolitical crisis at its border symbolizes the dramatic failure of decades of Brazilian foreign policy, in which Brasília sought to make itself into the region’s diplomatic and political leader.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2019
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Gina Kolata, New York Times, 20 May 2025
That includes impotence, incontinence and life-threatening infections.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Viagra’s marketing shifted the language around the issue, redefining it as erectile dysfunction rather than impotence.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
For Brazil in particular, such impotence in the face of a geopolitical crisis at its border symbolizes the dramatic failure of decades of Brazilian foreign policy, in which Brasília sought to make itself into the region’s diplomatic and political leader.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2019
See All Example Sentences for impotence
Cite this Entry
“Impotence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impotence. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impotence
noun
im·po·tence
ˈim-pət-ən(t)s
: the quality or state of being impotent
Medical Definition
impotence
noun
im·po·tence
ˈim-pət-ən(t)s
1
: the quality or state of not being potent
drug-resistant bacteria are a virulent indicator of the growing impotence of antibiotics
2
: an abnormal physical or psychological state of a male characterized by inability to engage in sexual intercourse because of failure to have or maintain an erection
called also erectile dysfunction
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