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
Even with all his diplomatic ties, Franklin was powerless to assist Platt because of the Treason Act’s suspension of habeas corpus.
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Newspaper editors and pamphleteers circulated stories about the horrible conditions in the British prisons holding thousands of Americans.
—
Time, 9 July 2025
Johnson had never been told that a man would be alone with his daughter, and the silence from the school and DCS had left him feeling powerless, Tosto said.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert explained that conspiratorial thinking usually spikes during moments of collective fear and uncertainty, especially during weather events in which people feel powerless.
—Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 10 July 2025
Why workers aren’t powerless Not all AI oversight is negative.
—Andrew Fennell, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
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Time, 9 July 2025
Johnson had never been told that a man would be alone with his daughter, and the silence from the school and DCS had left him feeling powerless, Tosto said.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert explained that conspiratorial thinking usually spikes during moments of collective fear and uncertainty, especially during weather events in which people feel powerless.
—Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 10 July 2025
Why workers aren’t powerless Not all AI oversight is negative.
—Andrew Fennell, Forbes.com, 7 July 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 31 Jul. 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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