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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of helpless
Even with Penny’s acquittal, Bragg’s prosecution will make good people think twice before coming to the aid of helpless people.
—
The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
Other Trump aides who were not at the club at the time were helpless to stop him.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Existing franchises that have successfully executed complex roster-building strategies hate seeing their hard work undone, helpless as key role players depart.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2024
With the Anschluss came atrocities, as Hitler’s boys had their way with the helpless.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for helpless 
The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
Other Trump aides who were not at the club at the time were helpless to stop him.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Existing franchises that have successfully executed complex roster-building strategies hate seeing their hard work undone, helpless as key role players depart.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2024
With the Anschluss came atrocities, as Hitler’s boys had their way with the helpless.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
-
Even the most reliable income streams are vulnerable to external factors beyond your control.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
-
Vietnamese delicacy vulnerable to overfishing In recent years, other Bathynomus species, such as B. jamesi, have become a delicacy in Vietnam, with their flesh often compared to that of lobster, according to the study.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
After October 7th, people were shocked and stunned and paralyzed and afraid of rockets and trying to figure out where their dead bodies were and whether their kids were dead or captive.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
2 Jan. 2025
-
The inspirational documentary chronicles the actor's storied rise but mainly focuses on his later life and work championing people with disabilities and spinal-cord injuries after a horse-riding accident left him paralyzed.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Consequently, consumers endure the worst of both worlds: a commodity that is susceptible to rapid price increases, lacking the infrastructure to reduce prices during periods of overproduction, all while relying on an emissions-intensive delivery system.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes,
9 Jan. 2025
-
Injuries happen in the NHL all the time, but some roles and positions are more susceptible to them.—
Shayna Goldman,
The Athletic,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Of Vegas’ last eight games, six were at home and all eight were against some of the league’s weakest teams.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
-
China’s persistently low consumer inflation indicates that China is struggling with weak domestic demand, stoking fears of deflation.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In short, its core competency needs to be responding to predictable natural disasters rather than virtue-signaling about climate change that its expensive (but piddling in the global scheme of things) green-energy initiatives are powerless to affect one way or the other.—
The Editors,
National Review,
13 Jan. 2025
-
His Democratic opposition is weak and largely powerless — although Republicans' tiny margin in the House will be a constant threat.—
Axios,
Axios,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Geyser was diagnosed the following August with childhood-onset schizophrenia and ruled incompetent to stand trial, a decision that was reversed that December.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2025
-
In 2023, he was found medically incompetent to stand trial and removed from the case.—
Carol Rosenberg,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near helpless
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share