1
as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
after the storm we found a helpless baby bird that had fallen out of its nest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in paralyzed
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
we watched, feeling helpless, as the vase slipped from her hand and crashed to the floor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of helpless
Undermine growth and development so people feel stuck and helpless.
—
Csaba Toth, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Unlike mutual funds, which regurgitate capital gain dividends onto helpless shareholders, stock ETFs rarely distribute taxable gains.
—William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
At times, the purple and gold looked helpless while trying to keep him from the basket.
—Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Dealing with an emotionally unavailable partner is a tireless obstacle to climb — and the First Lady of OVO vulnerably opens up about her own experience, as her stirring vocals capture what can be a helpless feeling.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Csaba Toth, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Unlike mutual funds, which regurgitate capital gain dividends onto helpless shareholders, stock ETFs rarely distribute taxable gains.
—William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
At times, the purple and gold looked helpless while trying to keep him from the basket.
—Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Dealing with an emotionally unavailable partner is a tireless obstacle to climb — and the First Lady of OVO vulnerably opens up about her own experience, as her stirring vocals capture what can be a helpless feeling.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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Saving currently endangered species A number of experts say that bringing back extinct animals will not solve any conservation problems and that efforts would be better spent trying to find ways to save current critically endangered or vulnerable species.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
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There are several factors behind what makes a region particularly sneezy and vulnerable to certain allergens.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Allen survived but was left permanently paralyzed, according to police.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2025
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According to the release, any savings from ending this type of care will go to supporting paralyzed veterans and amputees.—
Jaden Amos,
Axios,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Those who are not vaccinated are susceptible to the disease, Calendar said.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
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Learn more about management options and which food plants are most susceptible to this insect in our harlequin bug on vegetables web page.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Carbonaceous chondrites tend to be weaker and more crumbly than other meteorites, so these objects just don’t stand as much of a chance.—
Patrick M. Shober,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
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Then, McIlroy hit a weak drive to the right and was blocked by pines.—
Time,
Time,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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His teammate and several others jumped him and left him powerless to fight it.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2025
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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
Adjective
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The police department’s insufficient and incompetent investigation cannot stand.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
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After almost a year of being declared incompetent, her trial began in April 2023.—
Miguel Torres,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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