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Definitions

powerless

[pou-er-lis] / ˈpaʊ ər lɪs /
ADJECTIVE
helpless; ineffective
Synonyms
STRONGEST
defenseless disenfranchised helpless impotent incapable ineffective ineffectual inert paralyzed passive vulnerable weak
WEAK
blank chicken debilitated dependent epicene etiolated feeble frail gutless incapacitated infirm out of gas prostrate subject supine tied unarmed unfit wimp wishy-washy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
able active capable competent effective lively strong
WEAK
dominant potent powerful

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.

They agree to attach their names to “How’s That?!” to lend it legitimacy, and are virtually powerless to affect the plots generated by a program their network has deceptively nicknamed Al.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

All those moving parts for a player who only made it onto the park as a sub fielder while Australia were still mathematically alive, with Smith powerless to stop Sri Lanka and Pathum Nissanka's charge.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

"He is profoundly sorry that powerless and vulnerable women and girls were not given the protection they deserved."

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

The powerful are assumed to be perpetrators, the powerless victims.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

This was just a dream, and as long as she knew that, she wouldn't be powerless in it.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.