1
as in sterile
not able to produce fruit or offspring
most mules are impotent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
an impotent ruler who was just a figurehead
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impotent
Ten years into the Trump era, our Democratic avatars still feel obligated to signal their impotent superiority to the person who actually runs the place.
—
Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025
Biden was impotent in the face of Putin’s Ukraine assault, and China has been flexing its muscles with minimal consequence.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Iran Hostage Crisis The seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by radical student followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on Nov. 4, 1979, and the subsequent siege made the Carter administration seem impotent.
—Marty Steinberg, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2024
People become impotent in the face of new technology only if society permits it.
—Diane Coyle, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for impotent 
Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025
Biden was impotent in the face of Putin’s Ukraine assault, and China has been flexing its muscles with minimal consequence.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Iran Hostage Crisis The seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by radical student followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on Nov. 4, 1979, and the subsequent siege made the Carter administration seem impotent.
—Marty Steinberg, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2024
People become impotent in the face of new technology only if society permits it.
—Diane Coyle, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for impotent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impotent
Adjective
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This is because unlike polished surfaces which can look and feel cold and sterile, these matte finishes add depth and introduce softness into a kitchen.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Feb. 2025
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Typically, the ambiance is sterile rather than soothing.—
Maxine Lipner,
Verywell Health,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Gustavsson was equally helpless against Brad Marchand later in the first.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
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Most Popular Most Popular As Liam McNeeley carries UConn men, Dan Hurley calls for ‘reinvention’ as rest of his team struggles A CT woman felt helpless as her dad screamed in pain.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Lost in the woods, Irving dreams of a barren forest and the MDR cubicles — with Burt (Christopher Walken) behind a desk.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2025
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The barren structure, half wrapped in glass, is particularly noticeable at night, when strings of bright construction lights illuminate every floor.—
Eric Lach,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Airbnb is being sued after a guest was shot and left paralyzed at a birthday party hosted in one of its rentals.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
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BCIs have been used to lift food to a paralyzed user's mouth, for instance, or to select letters on a computer screen when typing messages.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Why Does Taste Sensitivity Matter for Weight Loss? Previous research on how people with obesity perceive taste suggested that weaker taste sensitivity may cause some people to eat more of certain foods to feel satisfied.—
Becky Upham,
EverydayHealth.com,
14 Feb. 2025
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The Trade Desk missed fourth-quarter revenue estimates and issued weak guidance.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near impotent
Cite this Entry
“Impotent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impotent. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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