helpless

[ help-lis ]

adjective

1. unable to help oneself; weak or dependent:

   a helpless invalid.

2. deprived of strength or power; powerless; incapacitated:

   They were helpless with laughter.

3. affording no help.

helpless

/ ˈhɛlplɪs /

adjective

1. unable to manage independently
2. made powerless or weak

   they were helpless from so much giggling

3. without help

Derived Forms

• ˈhelplessly, adverb
• ˈhelplessness, noun

Other Words From

• helpless·ly adverb
• helpless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of helpless¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English; help + -less

Example Sentences

“If I were in their shoes, I'd feel very helpless, very disappointed. It's already taking away credibility that Australia used to hold,” Rishika says.

From BBC

“As I approach the end of my life, I feel helpless,” he tells me.

From BBC

Mr Bailey added the prosecution's case was that Mr Sidpara inflicted many or most of the injuries to Ms Riaz "while she was unconscious or helpless".

From BBC

"A lot of people feel just totally helpless, like, what have we been doing? Why? Why can not even this galvanize change?"

From Salon

"We had to watch Paul slowly decline for nearly four years. You feel so helpless."

From BBC

Related Words

• defenseless
• destitute
• forlorn
• impotent
• paralyzed
• powerless
• unable
• unprotected
• vulnerable
• weak