top definitions
related content
examples
british

powerless

[ pou-er-lis ]

/ ˈpaʊ ər lɪs /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR powerless ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

unable to produce an effect: a disease against which modern medicine is virtually powerless.

lacking power to act; helpless: His legs crumpled, and he was powerless to rise.

Origin of powerless

First recorded in 1545–55; power + -less

SYNONYMS FOR powerless

1 ineffective.

2 feeble, impotent, prostrate, infirm.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR powerless ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM powerless

pow·er·less·ly, adverb pow·er·less·ness, noun

Words nearby powerless

powerboating, powerbroker, powered, powerful, powerhouse, powerless, powerlifting, powers, powers that be, the, powfagged, powhatan

Example sentences from the Web for powerlessness

Adding to the feeling of powerlessness for the woman is that Cosby is a beloved celebrity.

Here’s What She’d Tell Bill Cosby Today |Dean Obeidallah |December 9, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In our conversation, the terms “power” and “powerlessness” came up frequently.

Here’s What She’d Tell Bill Cosby Today |Dean Obeidallah |December 9, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
For her part, Melissa shows the frustration and powerlessness of a woman devoted to a man she no longer understands – or trusts.

War Is About More Than Heroes, Martyrs, and Patriots |Nathan Bradley Bethea |November 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In a thoroughly corrupt world, power may be the only interesting thing and powerlessness the only attractive thing.

Daenerys Goes to Washington: The Modern Politics of ‘Game of Thrones’ |Jedediah Purdy |April 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

I understand the powerlessness, confusion, and sickening despair.

The Real Juvenile Offenders |Daniela Drake |June 22, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The outstanding proof of the artificiality of this civilization is its powerlessness to propagate.

Germany and the Germans |Price Collier
An odd sense of powerlessness had taken possession of her, and she knew it had become visible to him, for she saw his face alter.

The Odds |Ethel M. Dell
Consider also how momentous is the powerlessness which incapacitates the wicked.

The Consolation of Philosophy |Boethius
She was powerless—and very deep down within her there leaped a wild thing that rejoiced—that exulted—in her powerlessness.

The Odds |Ethel M. Dell
It seemed to him that they were mocking him, laughing at his powerlessness.

The Reign of Greed |Jose Rizal

British Dictionary definitions for powerlessness

powerless

/ (ˈpaʊəlɪs) /

adjective

without power or authority

Derived forms of powerless

powerlessly, adverb powerlessness, noun