powerless

[pou-er-lis]

adjective

1. unable to produce an effect.

   a disease against which modern medicine is virtually powerless.

   Synonyms: ineffective

2. lacking power pow power to act; helpless.

   His legs crumpled, and he was powerless to rise.

   Synonyms: infirm, prostrate, impotent, feeble

powerless

/ ˈpaʊəlɪs /

adjective

1. without power or authority

Other Word Forms

• powerlessness noun
• powerlessly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of powerless¹

First recorded in 1545–55; power + -less

Example Sentences

We ask PC Middleton if he can see why some people believe the police are powerless.

From BBC

That is what powerless people say to make doing nothing OK.

From Salon

One of Carl's victims told police he felt "powerless" as there was "nothing I could do".

From BBC

Is the solution electing a governor for blue California, who — if not openly scorning the state’s millions of Republicans — is willing to render them politically powerless?

From Los Angeles Times

“I am no longer weak. I am no longer powerless. And I am no longer alone,” said survivor Anouska de Georgiou.

From Salon

Related Words

• defenseless 
• disenfranchised 
• helpless 
• impotent 
• incapable 
• ineffective 
• ineffectual 
• inert 
• paralyzed www.thesaurus.com
• passive 
• vulnerable 
• weak