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
His teammate and several others jumped him and left him powerless to fight it.
—
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
But the problem with placing blame on these outside factors is that focusing on what is beyond one’s control leaves them powerless, by definition.
—Bruce Tulgan, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Parents spend nights arguing over homework, feeling powerless to help.
—Claudia Nachtigal, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2025
But people aren’t powerless to do something that will help them and their communities.
—Josh Ocampo, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
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David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
But the problem with placing blame on these outside factors is that focusing on what is beyond one’s control leaves them powerless, by definition.
—Bruce Tulgan, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Parents spend nights arguing over homework, feeling powerless to help.
—Claudia Nachtigal, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2025
But people aren’t powerless to do something that will help them and their communities.
—Josh Ocampo, New York Times, 9 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 22 Apr. 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
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