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

Synonyms

• hamstrung
• handcuffed
• helpless
• high and dry
• hog-tied
• impotent
• impuissant
• paralyzed
• weak

Examples of powerless in a Sentence

I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation.

Recent Examples on the Web

This created huge frustration for 911 professionals, who felt powerless to deploy life-saving resources to people who needed them. —Alison Coleman, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Inside our powerless building, ash already raining outside, reason escaped me. —Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025

Although young victims whose parents don’t want to press charges pose an obstacle, experts said the department was not powerless to protect the public. —Ana Claudia Chacin, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025

The president seemed increasingly powerless to reverse the misery. —Russell L. Riley / Made By History, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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