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Meaning of be powerless
to lack the power or ability to do something
Etymology of be powerless
The word "powerless" comes from the Old English words "power" and "less", with "power" derived from the Old French "poeir" and "less" from the Old English "læs"
The term has been used since the 15th century to describe a lack of power or ability
Synonyms
helpless
weak
feeble
impotent
ineffectual
ineffective
inadequate
incompetent
incapable
unable
unfit
unqualified
paralyzed
crippled
handicapped
disabled
debilitated
enfeebled
frail
fragile
powerless
defenceless
vulnerable
susceptible
exposed
uncovered
unprotected
insecure
unstable
unsteady
shaky
infirm
sickly
ailing
bedridden
prostrate
prostrated
exhausted
spent
worn out
drained
depleted
weakened
enervated
emasculated
effete
ineffective
inefficacious
fruitless
futile
unavailing
abortive
stillborn
idle
inactive
inert
dormant
quiescent
stagnant
static
motionless
immobile
stationary
torpid
lethargic
comatose
insensible
numb
paralyzed
palsied
crippled
maimed
mutilated
disabled
handicapped
incapacitated
disenabled
unsound
unfit
unqualified
untrained
inexperienced
amateurish
unskilled
inept
clumsy
bumbling
blundering
hapless
luckless
unfortunate
ill-fated
doomed
ill-starred
star-crossed
unhappy
unlucky
wretched
miserable
pitiful
pathetic
distressing
deplorable
lamentable
regrettable
sad
sorrowful
grievous
painful
anguish
anguished
pained
hurting
hurt
injured
damaged
harmed
impaired
weakened
shattered
broken
crushed
defeated
vanquished
conquered
overwhelmed
overpowered
overborne
overthrown
toppled
upset
upended
capsized
sunk
shipwrecked
wrecked
ruined
destroyed
devastated
ravaged
laid low
laid waste
smashed
battered
bruised
battered
mangled
maimed
mutilated
disfigured
scarred
damaged
impaired
weakened
enfeebled
debilitated
crippled
handicapped
disabled
paralytic
palsied
palsying
cripple
maim
mutilate
disable
handicap
paralyze
enfeeble
debilitate
weaken
exhaust
drain
deplete
spend
waste
dissipate
squander
fritter
idle
languish
flag
droop
sag
slump
sink
founder
collapse
crumble
tumble
fall
drop
plunge
dive
plummet
crash
smash
shatter
break
crack
fracture
splinter
shiver
shatter
demolish
destroy
annihilate
obliterate
extinguish
quench
snuff
smother
stifle
suffocate
throttle
strangle
garrote
choke
gag
mute
silence
still
quiet
hush
subdue
tame
domesticate
gentle
break
train
discipline
chasten
correct
punish
penalize
fine
mulct
amerce
confiscate
seize
impound
attach
distrain
garnish
sequester
sequestrate
appropriate
expropriate
commandeer
requisition
confiscate
seize
impound
attach
distrain
garnish
sequester
sequestrate
appropriate
expropriate
commandeer
requisition
Definitions
- Lacking the power or ability to do something
- * Unable to act or make decisions
- * Lacking physical or mental strength
Usage Examples
- The patient was powerless to stop the disease from progressing
- * The government was powerless to prevent the economic crisis
- * The team was powerless to stop the opposing team from scoring
Antonyms
powerful
strong
potent
capable
able
competent
skilled
proficient
effective
efficacious
successful
triumphant
victorious
dominant
commanding
controlling
ruling
reigning
supreme
sovereign
omnipotent
almighty
all-powerful
invincible
invulnerable
unbeatable
unconquerable
unassailable
impregnable
secure
safe
stable
firm
solid
steady
unshakeable
immovable
unwavering
unrelenting
relentless
merciless
ruthless
brutal
savage
ferocious