hapless

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s a faithful facsimile—with a singular ingredient absent: the soulful performance of Al Pacino in the central role of the hapless bank robber Sonny.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Yet, these supposedly most-promising stars are mostly hapless wannabes leaning on their skills in nunchucks and mime.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

A week later they were dominant in going 21-0 ahead against Argentina and then hapless in conceding 33 points in the second half and losing.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Yet no migrants ever stayed at the Armoni, which became a symbol of rampant waste and abuse in the city’s hapless contracting with human-services companies and nonprofits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

El Paso Austin was held to six yards in three plays, the hapless Austin running backs suffocating under a pile of five or six raging dogs in black shirts.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger