powerless
adjective
pow·er·less
ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs 
1
: devoid of strength or resources
powerless victims
2
: lacking the authority or capacity to act
was powerless to help
powerlessly
adverb
powerlessness
noun
Examples of powerless in a Sentence
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Those impacted by the tornadoes largely stayed with friends and family or hauled generators out to their powerless homes.
—
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 19 May 2025
There is a powerless feeling that overcomes a team when an opposing player hits a series of difficult shots for which there is no defense.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 May 2025
Emergency Response Rooms, a grassroots network of activists providing vital support (and who were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last year), became a lifeline but often was powerless, said Duaa Tariq, an activist in the network.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025
Practically speaking, Democrats are powerless to block Trump’s agenda, since Republicans are moving it on an obscure procedural track, known as reconciliation, that sidesteps the Senate filibuster.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
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.
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 19 May 2025
There is a powerless feeling that overcomes a team when an opposing player hits a series of difficult shots for which there is no defense.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 May 2025
Emergency Response Rooms, a grassroots network of activists providing vital support (and who were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last year), became a lifeline but often was powerless, said Duaa Tariq, an activist in the network.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025
Practically speaking, Democrats are powerless to block Trump’s agenda, since Republicans are moving it on an obscure procedural track, known as reconciliation, that sidesteps the Senate filibuster.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powerless. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
powerless
adjective
pow·er·less
ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs
1
: lacking power, force, or energy
2
: lacking authority to act
powerlessly
adverb
powerlessness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share