helpless

[ help-lis ]
/ ˈhɛlp lɪs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR helpless ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

unable to help oneself; weak or dependent: a helpless invalid.
deprived of strength or power; powerless; incapacitated: They were helpless with laughter.
affording no help.

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Origin of helpless

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at help, -less

OTHER WORDS FROM helpless

help·less·ly, adverbhelp·less·ness, noun

Words nearby helpless

helper virus, helpful, helping, helping hand, helping verb, helpless, helpline, Helpmann, helpmate, helpmeet, help oneself
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to helpless

defenseless, weak, impotent, disabled, unprotected, unable, paralyzed, forlorn, destitute, powerless, abandoned, debilitated, dependent, exposed, feeble, forsaken, friendless, inefficient, inexpert, infirm

Example sentences from the Web for helpless

British Dictionary definitions for helpless

helpless
/ (ˈhɛlplɪs) /

adjective

unable to manage independently
made powerless or weakthey were helpless from so much giggling
without help

Derived forms of helpless

helplessly, adverbhelplessness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012