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

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powerless British  

/ ˈpaʊəlɪs /

adjective

1. without power or authority

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Other Word Forms

• powerlessly adverb
• powerlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of powerless

First recorded in 1545–55; power + -less

Example Sentences

It was heartening to know that airline employees, albeit powerless, know about able-bodied passengers gaming system to skip the lines.

From The Wall Street Journal

But in the powerless dusk, as the sun slipped behind the Rockies, the cottage we had rented began to light up with candles—short, tall, big, small, whatever we could find.

From The Wall Street Journal

If you spend much time online or consuming mass media, you might think that’s over—that Americans are deeply pessimistic about their country and feel powerless to change it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now, she wants people, "especially young women", to know that when you feel "disenfranchised and powerless, there is real power in learning how to ask questions".

From BBC

But England were powerless to withstand the Australian excellence.

From BBC

Related Words

• defenseless
• disenfranchised
• helpless
• impotent
• incapable
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• inert
• paralyzed
• passive
• vulnerable
• weak