helpless

[ help-lis ]

adjective

1. unable to help oneself; weak or dependent:

   a helpless invalid.

2. deprived of strength or power; powerless; incapacitated:

   They were helpless with laughter.

3. affording no help.

helpless

/ ˈhɛlplɪs /

adjective

1. unable to manage independently
2. made powerless or weak

   they were helpless from so much giggling

3. without help

Derived Forms

• ˈhelplessly, adverb
• ˈhelplessness, noun

Other Words From

• helpless·ly adverb
• helpless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of helpless¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English; help + -less

Example Sentences

He recalls comrades boasting, even to their commanders, about beating “helpless Palestinians”.

From BBC

She said she was helpless and felt like she was "just a bag of meat to him".

From BBC

"It makes me feel helpless, no matter how much I challenge the costs, it's not going to change, there’s no accountability for them because they can just keep putting up the charges," said Mr Mckinnon.

From BBC

“If I were in their shoes, I'd feel very helpless, very disappointed. It's already taking away credibility that Australia used to hold,” Rishika says.

From BBC

“As I approach the end of my life, I feel helpless,” he tells me.

From BBC

Related Words

• defenseless
• destitute
• forlorn
• impotent
• paralyzed
• powerless
• unable
• unprotected
• vulnerable
• weak