helpless

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.

A brash and confident young earthbending prodigy, Toph moonlights as a champion fighter called the Blind Bandit, unbeknownst to her overprotective upper-class parents who think their little girl is helpless.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

One of the dark ideas of the novel is that the aristocracy’s moral and spiritual bankruptcy left them helpless in the face of Europe’s rising totalitarian ideologies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Iran mocked his ultimatum, dismissing it as "helpless, nervous and stupid".

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Many of our children’s favorite apps and social-media sites were built from the ground up to keep young users hooked and helpless to look away, consequences to their health and well-being be damned.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

He lifts his hands, palms up, in a helpless gesture.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse