Showing results for can't help. Search instead for can-t-help-but.

can't help

Idioms

Also,. Be unable to do otherwise. For example, I can't help thinking that the keys will turn up eventually, or He couldn't help but believe he would pass the entrance exam, or I cannot but applaud his efforts. The first of these phrases, can't help, is always followed by a present participle whereas the others take an infinitive. [c. 1700]

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.

While some say video is boosting podcasts’ appeal and making shows easier to discover on social media, others can’t help but feel that their beloved medium is neglecting them as it caters to another audience.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

“Of course, it’s concerning to watch the news, and you can’t help but feel terribly sorry for people who are exposed to all these terrible things,” Hagen said.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

"Number two: I've been asking that question for several years and they won't tell me the answer, so I can't help you."

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Sometimes one woman will dismiss another woman’s opinion so immediately, I can’t help but wonder if they have some long and secret rivalry.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

“I can’t help you with the queen, but if you have a suggestion, leave it in the suggestion box. That’s the best I can do.”

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023