powerless

[ pou-er-lis ]

adjective

1. unable to produce an effect:

   a disease against which modern medicine is virtually powerless.

   Synonyms: ineffective

2. lacking power pow power to act; helpless:

   His legs crumpled, and he was powerless to rise.

   Synonyms: infirm, prostrate, impotent, feeble

powerless

/ ˈpaʊəlɪs /

adjective

1. without power or authority

Derived Forms

• ˈpowerlessness, noun
• ˈpowerlessly, adverb

Other Words From

• power·less·ly adverb
• power·less·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of powerless¹

First recorded in 1545–55; power + -less

Example Sentences

Can you imagine how powerless and small that made E. Jean Carroll feel, when in fact, the one who was weak and small was Donald Trump?

From Salon

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said England's care system was "bankrupting councils, letting families down, and above all, leaving too many children feeling forgotten, powerless and invisible".

From BBC

Mr Toplass, who runs a pest control firm, says he was misled into signing a business contract for three phones that he is now "powerless" to break free from.

From BBC

Still, he signalled his intent and if the defender took notice he was still powerless to do much about it.

From BBC

I’m sure the act of writing posts and articles helps me feel less powerless.

From Salon

Related Words

• defenseless
• disenfranchised
• helpless
• impotent
• incapable
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• inert
• paralyzed
• passive
• vulnerable
• weak