powerless

American  

[pou-er-lis] / ˈpaʊ ər lɪs /

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

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powerless British  

/ ˈpaʊəlɪs /

adjective

1. without power or authority

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Other Word Forms

• powerlessly adverb
• powerlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of powerless

First recorded in 1545–55; power + -less

Example Sentences

These Rafale fighter jets are seen as crucial to protecting Ukraine's skies, because the country is almost powerless in preventing long-range air strikes on its border towns and cities.

From BBC

Russell's penalty briefly stemmed the flow to make it 24-12, but the wind was at Argentina's backs and Scotland looked powerless to wrestle back the momentum.

From BBC

Fed up of feeling powerless, I immediately reported the incident as a hate crime - now defined in the UK by law to include perceived hostile acts toward protected characteristics like disability.

From BBC

Mills, a sociologist, challenged this belief, describing how white-collar work could be just as monotonous, powerless and stressful as factory work.

From The Wall Street Journal

He named a long list of industry heavies and bands before adding: "To the homeless and the powerless and the forgotten, we always say thank you."

From Barron's

Related Words

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