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

“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

Rangers were a muddle of impotent passing for passing's sake under predecessor Russell Martin - but Rohl's messaging appears more pragmatic.

From BBC

Rendered impotent by domestication, she’ll do anything to influence human events.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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