powerless
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.
South Cotswolds MP Roz Savage criticised Sir Ed's leadership ahead of conference, urging the party to rediscover its "insurgent spirit" rather than being the "polite custodians of a system that leaves people feeling powerless".
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
Across the pavements, residential areas and public spaces of African cities, the informal economy is booming under the noses of authorities, who are often powerless to stop it.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
We observe them lamenting how powerless they feel: Their medical skills can do some good, but not nearly enough.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
He and a co-author used “unpleasant monetarist arithmetic” to show that if people don’t believe their government will eventually raise enough taxes to pay back debt, the central bank can be powerless to stop inflation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
Next the Whisperer would ask what his greatest fear was, and poor Sticky would be powerless to hide it.
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
