1
: having no teeth
2
a
: lacking in sharpness or bite
spoke in toothless generalities—
Arthur Hepner
Arthur Hepner
b
: lacking in means of enforcement or coercion : ineffectual
Examples of toothless in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But this comes with a significant delay, together with the somewhat toothless threat of sanctions against Russia itself (there is almost no trade to penalize).
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
While many later pterosaurs had toothless beaks, early pterosaurs like Eotephradactylus were toothy.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2025
Elson argued that a recent proposal by Wedbush analyst Dan Ives to erect a special board oversight committee tasked with exercising influence over the CEO showed just how toothless the current slate of directors led by chair Robyn Denholm really is.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 11 July 2025
And the Senate might eliminate all fees on automakers who don't comply with fuel economy rules, which environmental groups say would make those regulations toothless.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for toothless
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Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
While many later pterosaurs had toothless beaks, early pterosaurs like Eotephradactylus were toothy.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2025
Elson argued that a recent proposal by Wedbush analyst Dan Ives to erect a special board oversight committee tasked with exercising influence over the CEO showed just how toothless the current slate of directors led by chair Robyn Denholm really is.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 11 July 2025
And the Senate might eliminate all fees on automakers who don't comply with fuel economy rules, which environmental groups say would make those regulations toothless.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for toothless
Cite this Entry
“Toothless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toothless. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
toothless
adjective
tooth·less
ˈtüth-ləs 
: having no teeth
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