Dictionary.com

impuissant

[ im-pyoo-uh-suhnt, im-pyoo-is-uhnt, im-pwis-uhnt ]
/ ɪmˈpyu ə sənt, ˌɪm pyuˈɪs ənt, ɪmˈpwɪs ənt /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for impuissant on Thesaurus.com
adjective
lacking strength; feeble; weak.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of impuissant

From Middle French, dating back to 1620–30; see origin at im-2, puissant

OTHER WORDS FROM impuissant

im·pu·is·sance, noun

Words nearby impuissant

impsonite, impudence, impudent, impudicity, impugn, impuissant, impulse, impulse buying, impulse turbine, impulsion, impulsive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to impuissant

helpless, impotent, inadequate, incapable, not able, powerless, sidelined, unfit, weak, anemic, feeble, fragile, frail, hesitant, shaky, sickly, sluggish, uncertain, unsteady, weakened

How to use impuissant in a sentence

  • L'agent revint impuissant vers son collègue, insista encore auprès d'Arsay en finissant par élever la voix.

    Histoires grises|E. Edouard Tavernier

British Dictionary definitions for impuissant

impuissant
/ (ɪmˈpjuːɪsənt, ɪmˈpwiː-) /
adjective
powerless, ineffectual, feeble, or impotent

Derived forms of impuissant

impuissance, noun

Word Origin for impuissant

C17: from French: powerless
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
FEEDBACK