impotent

American  

[im-puh-tuhnt] / ˈɪm pə tənt /

adjective

1. not potent; lacking power or ability.

   Synonyms:

   helpless, powerless

2. utterly unable (to do something).

   Synonyms:

   helpless, powerless

3. without force or effectiveness.

   Synonyms:

   weak, feeble, ineffective, ineffectual

4. lacking bodily strength or physically helpless.

5. (of a male) unable to attain or sustain a penile erection.

6. (especially of a male) sterile.

7. Obsolete. without restraint.

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noun

1. an impotent person.

   therapy for sexual impotents.

impotent British  

/ ˈɪmpətənt /

adjective

1. (when postpositive, often takes an infinitive) lacking sufficient strength; powerless

2. (esp of males) unable to perform sexual intercourse See erectile impotence

3. obsolete lacking self-control; unrestrained

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Other Word Forms

• impotence noun
• impotently adverb

Etymology

Origin of impotent

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin impotent-, stem of impotēns “without power over oneself or others”; equivalent to im- ² + potent ¹

Example Sentences

Bradley Tusk, political strategist and campaign manager for former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, called the group “politically impotent.”

From The Wall Street Journal

In statistical terms, they were two of the most impotent attacking displays by any Premier League team this season.

From BBC

“It made me angry, but I felt so impotent because, well, what do I do?”

From Los Angeles Times

Its purpose was to care for "twelve poor feeble and impotent old men and four old women" who were looked after by a housewife responsible for cooking, cleaning, and general care.

From BBC

They look even better when you factor in that only two of those games have been at home - with a previously impotent and misfiring team putting eight goals past Falkirk and Kilmarnock.

From BBC

Related Words

• helpless
• inadequate
• incapable
• incompetent
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• inept
• paralyzed
• powerless
• weak