impotent

adjective

im·​po·​tent ˈim-pə-tənt 

1

a

: not potent : lacking in power, strength, or vigor : helpless

b

: unable to engage in sexual intercourse because of inability to have and maintain an erection

broadly : sterile

2

obsolete : incapable of self-restraint : ungovernable

impotent noun

impotently adverb

Did you know?

A police department may be impotent to stop the flow of drugs into a neighborhood. A group of countries may be impotent to force another country to change its human-rights policies. The impotence of a prime minister may be shown by her inability to get an important piece of legislation passed. Impotent and impotence may also have a special meaning, when they refer to a man's inability to have sexual intercourse.

Synonyms

• barren
• fruitless
• infertile
• sterile
• unfruitful

Examples of impotent in a Sentence

an impotent ruler who was just a figurehead

Recent Examples on the Web

The Dodgers’ bullpen ranked among the best in the major leagues, and along with a strong Braves bullpen in the wild-card series has rendered Padres bats largely impotent. —Kevin Acee, The Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2024

However, as Google points out, the evolution of quantum computers threatens to make such protections impotent. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024

The town’s working-class citizens are sick of being neglected and left in impotent chaos. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Sep. 2024

Robinson’s obsessive and volatile (but also hyper-earnest) screen persona so perfectly crystallizes a modern form of impotent male rage that it’s become a language unto itself on the internet, where everyone leads with their id. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin impotent-, impotens, from in- + potent-, potens potent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

impotent

adjective

im·​po·​tent ˈim-pət-ənt 

1

: lacking in power or strength

2

: incapable of engaging in sexual intercourse

also : sterile sense 1

—usually used of males

impotently adverb

Medical Definition

impotent

adjective

im·​po·​tent ˈim-pət-ənt 

1

: not potent

an impotent vaccine

2

: unable to engage in sexual intercourse because of inability to have and maintain an erection

broadly : sterile