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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of helpless
Securing these acquisitions will help ensure that the Turkish Air Force doesn’t risk becoming obsolescent, as its Iranian counterpart did long ago, leaving it utterly helpless in the face of Israel’s aerial juggernaut.
—
Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Her precocity gives the novel its wit, but Shteyngart is also alert to the fact that a child, however bright, is fundamentally helpless.
Not to mention desperate for her parents’ affection, which is in short supply for Vera.
—Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
Evans stood next to a small boat, clad in waders and helpless to stop the rising waters.
—Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
If a narrative focuses on the problem but doesn’t propose a solution, then people are likely to walk away from it feeling helpless.
—Turcois Ominek, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Her precocity gives the novel its wit, but Shteyngart is also alert to the fact that a child, however bright, is fundamentally helpless.
Not to mention desperate for her parents’ affection, which is in short supply for Vera.
—Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
Evans stood next to a small boat, clad in waders and helpless to stop the rising waters.
—Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
If a narrative focuses on the problem but doesn’t propose a solution, then people are likely to walk away from it feeling helpless.
—Turcois Ominek, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
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How Did James Gunn Reboot Superman For A Modern Audience? From the very first scene, Gunn depicts Superman (David Corenswet) as vulnerable, having lost a fight for the first time.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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Many experts said the ruling could harm the country's most vulnerable children.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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Carl Schulze, of Neenah, has used a wheelchair since 2007, when an accident severed his spinal cord and left him completely paralyzed.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
26 July 2025
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In June 2022, his face was left partially paralyzed following a Ramsay Hunt Syndrome diagnosis, which forced him to halt his Justice tour and then cancel it entirely.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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People with diabetes have trouble regulating blood sugar and may be more susceptible to orange juice raising blood sugar, which is why they are often counseled to avoid orange juice.11 However, studies on this subject are contradictory.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
22 July 2025
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Microgravity, radiation, confinement and a change in sleep-wake cycles and can exert pressure on cells, driving lower immune systems and making astronauts more susceptible to being sick during or after missions.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Those weak harvests, in turn, are due to drought and high temperatures and more generally climate change, which has negatively impacted coffee harvests for several years.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
21 July 2025
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It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Even with all his diplomatic ties, Franklin was powerless to assist Platt because of the Treason Act’s suspension of habeas corpus. Advertisement Newspaper editors and pamphleteers circulated stories about the horrible conditions in the British prisons holding thousands of Americans.—
Time,
Time,
9 July 2025
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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
Adjective
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He was found incompetent to stand trial, which in the state of Colorado, means he must be released from custody, Padden's office told Fox News Digital earlier this month.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
22 July 2025
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Malfunctioning surveillance equipment, conveniently incompetent jail staff, and statements from individuals such as the mayor of New York and Epstein’s brother played roles in fomenting this coalition.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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