impotence

[ im-puh-tuhns ]

noun

1. the condition or quality of being impotent; weakness.
2. chronic inability to attain or sustain an erection for the performance of a sexual act.
3. sterility, especially in the male.
4. Obsolete. lack of self-restraint.

Word History and Origins

Origin of impotence¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, variant of impotencie, from Latin impotentia “lack of self-control, weakness”; -ence, im- ², potency

Example Sentences

For America’s critics in the region, the apparent impotence of the superpower when it comes to influencing the largest recipient of US aid is baffling.

From BBC

Men do not face a binary choice between power, birthright and dignity on one hand, and emasculation and impotence on the other.

From Salon

He emphasized his wife’s autonomy, her co-ownership of their house and her constitutional rights — and his own impotence: “There were no additional steps I could have taken to have the flag taken down more promptly.”

From Los Angeles Times

In fact, despite all of DeLillo’s fascination with terrorism and death cults and the impotence of the individual swept up in unstoppable social forces, I’ve never considered him to be an especially paranoid writer.

From New York Times

Just Friday, a similar U.S. resolution at the Security Council that did condemn Hamas was vetoed by permanent members China and Russia, underscoring U.S. impotence in resolving the Gaza war.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• helplessness
• powerlessness