Etymology
Origin of impotence
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, variant of impotencie, from Latin impotentia “lack of self-control, weakness”; -ence, im- 2, potency
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.
It simply emphasised that Arsenal's impotence at one end leaves them increasingly vulnerable at the other.
From BBC • Mar. 9, 2025
Men do not face a binary choice between power, birthright and dignity on one hand, and emasculation and impotence on the other.
From Salon • Sep. 1, 2024
In fact, despite all of DeLillo’s fascination with terrorism and death cults and the impotence of the individual swept up in unstoppable social forces, I’ve never considered him to be an especially paranoid writer.
From New York Times • May 22, 2024
In Pinter, troubled vision is often associated with impotence and diminished vitality.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2023
Teen-agers sneaked into the Elmira Theater in the afternoon and let Tex Ritter free them from the recollection of their fathers’ shoes, yawning in impotence under the bed.
From "Sula" by Toni Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
