hapless
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- haplessly adverb
- haplessness noun
Etymology
Origin of hapless
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.
Baldwin was so hapless that he didn’t even know when he was near death.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026
The comedy sees Rogen play Matt Remick, the newly appointed hapless head of Continental Studios, who is desperate for celebrity approval while also trying to achieve both critical acclaim and box office success.
From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026
Yet no migrants ever stayed at the Armoni, which became a symbol of rampant waste and abuse in the city’s hapless contracting with human-services companies and nonprofits.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026
Ellis Genge showed his England quality to help Bristol rout hapless Harlequins 40-14 at Twickenham.
From Barron's • Dec. 20, 2025
Groans from the hapless radiators, coupled with the slamming of the wind against their windows, had kept them awake through the dark hours.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
