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
Examples of powerless in a Sentence
I wish I could help you, but I am powerless in this situation.
Recent Examples on the Web
The board was powerless to block or review the demolition application under the resiliency law.
—
Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025
The Astros offense remains powerless — only four teams have a lower slugging percentage, and just three have fewer home runs — but is being buoyed by a pitching staff that boasts baseball’s lowest WHIP.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Commentary and opinions The late Pope Francis advocated for the powerless, for those who have so little and yet are villainized by people in positions of authority, writes contributing columnist J.P. Brammer.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
In this instance, though, the Administration is not attempting to trample on powerless civil servants or migrants, or pusillanimous law firms, or universities that don’t have as much money as Harvard does.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
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Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025
The Astros offense remains powerless — only four teams have a lower slugging percentage, and just three have fewer home runs — but is being buoyed by a pitching staff that boasts baseball’s lowest WHIP.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Commentary and opinions The late Pope Francis advocated for the powerless, for those who have so little and yet are villainized by people in positions of authority, writes contributing columnist J.P. Brammer.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
In this instance, though, the Administration is not attempting to trample on powerless civil servants or migrants, or pusillanimous law firms, or universities that don’t have as much money as Harvard does.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerless
Cite this Entry
“Powerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powerless. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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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