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
Examples of powerless in a Sentence
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation.
Recent Examples on the Web
That, combined with a quick Congressional quashing of pending FCC privacy regulations, also left the commission powerless to stop broadband providers from snooping on their customers.
—
Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Although that could help stave off rate increases in the short term, over the longer term Florida homeowners and insurers might be powerless as the planet continues to warm.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2024
Younger adults entering the workforce feel powerless, and growing numbers of them feel unable to start lucrative careers, with youth unemployment exceeding 17 percent.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2024
Locals emptied powerless coolers and contributed hot dogs, ribs and hamburgers.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for powerless 
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Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Although that could help stave off rate increases in the short term, over the longer term Florida homeowners and insurers might be powerless as the planet continues to warm.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2024
Younger adults entering the workforce feel powerless, and growing numbers of them feel unable to start lucrative careers, with youth unemployment exceeding 17 percent.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2024
Locals emptied powerless coolers and contributed hot dogs, ribs and hamburgers.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for powerless
Articles Related to powerless
Dictionary Entries Near powerless
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powerless. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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