impotent
adjective
im·po·tent
ˈim-pə-tənt 
1
2
obsolete
: incapable of self-restraint : ungovernable
impotent
noun
impotently
adverb
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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.
Examples of impotent in a Sentence
an impotent ruler who was just a figurehead
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s what California gets for having a Republican Party almost fully impotent at the state level.
—
Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Everything getting in the way of Cesar’s big plans boils down to the ills of society: stagnant, corrupt forces in positions of power and the careless whims of the rich who benefit from these long-standing, impotent leaders.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
Freddie, of course, refers to Freeman, the Dodgers first baseman slowed by an ankle injury that left his bat mostly impotent in earlier rounds of the playoffs.
—Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 29 Oct. 2024
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
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Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Everything getting in the way of Cesar’s big plans boils down to the ills of society: stagnant, corrupt forces in positions of power and the careless whims of the rich who benefit from these long-standing, impotent leaders.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
Freddie, of course, refers to Freeman, the Dodgers first baseman slowed by an ankle injury that left his bat mostly impotent in earlier rounds of the playoffs.
—Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 29 Oct. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for impotent
Dictionary Entries Near impotent
Cite this Entry
“Impotent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impotent. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impotent
adjective
im·po·tent
ˈim-pət-ənt
1
: lacking in power or strength
2
: incapable of engaging in sexual intercourse
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
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