powerless

adjective

ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs How to pronounce powerless (audio)
Definition of powerlessnext
as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 powerless There, a federal circuit court held that President Abraham Lincoln was powerless to suspend the writ of habeas corpus because the Constitution entrusted the suspension power exclusively to Congress. — Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2025 Put simply: individual officers were powerless against the System. — Marc J. Dunkelman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025 But the lack of consistent messaging has left many everyday Democrats across the country feeling angry and powerless, the New York Times reported over the weekend. — Jessica Boehm, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025 Mara had stumbled into a treacherous leadership trap—feeling powerless and out of control. — Lisa Hale, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for powerless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerless
  1. helpless
  2. paralyzed
  3. weak
Adjective
  • Abuse survivors can feel helpless trying to escape perpetrators or avoid being found and stalked when the safeguards in place are repeatedly violated, experts said, as in Lisa’s case.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Now, with the help of their dad’s right-hand woman Lucky (Poorna Jagannathan), the helpless brothers must assume the position as co-heads of his drug cartel.
    — Max Gao, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of helpless
Adjective
  • It's used for amputees, paralyzed drivers and those suffering from hip displacement issues.
    — Swish Goswami, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Two people have been convicted on conspiracy and murder charges for their role in a triple shooting in Hartford in 2021 that left one man dead, another paralyzed and a third victim injured.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of paralyzed
Adjective
  • As the market sell-off gains steam, a handful of quality stocks could outperform and buck the broader weak trend for equities, according to Bernstein.
    — Brian Evans, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Many offensive cyber firms set up shop in countries with weak regulations, providing hacking tools and services to buyers worldwide.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of weak

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Cite this Entry

“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerless. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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