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Synonyms

powerless

American  
[pou-er-lis] / ˈpaʊ ər lɪs /

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 British  
/ ˈpaʊəlɪs /

adjective

  1. without power or authority

"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

Other Word Forms

  • powerlessly adverb
  • powerlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of powerless

First recorded in 1545–55; power + -less

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.

They agree to attach their names to “How’s That?!” to lend it legitimacy, and are virtually powerless to affect the plots generated by a program their network has deceptively nicknamed Al.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

"According to the Quebec government's logic, even in such cases, the courts would not only be powerless but also bound to silence."

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

He also said the organisation was "powerless to constrain the nuclear programme" of Tehran.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

Outside of a single playoff victory 15 years ago, the Jets were powerless to stop the Belichick and Brady dynasty that produced six Super Bowl wins.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

One that modern medicine doesn’t recognize, can’t identify and is powerless to treat.

From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen

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.