powerless
word
/ˈpaʊɝɫəs/
POW-ur-luhs
/pˈaʊələs/
POW-uh-luhs
Definition
Feeling unable to control or change a situation; lacking strength or ability to act or influence something.
Usage & Nuances
'Powerless' is formal and often used to describe emotional situations where someone feels unable to help or make a difference. Common with 'feel powerless', 'be powerless to' + verb. Not used for technical loss of electricity ('power outage').
Spanish: impotente - indefensoPortuguese (BR): impotente - indefesoPortuguese (PT): impotente - indefesoChinese (Simplified): 无能为力 - 毫无能力Chinese (Traditional): 無能為力 - 毫無能力Hindi: 无力 - असहायArabic: عاجز - بلا حولBengali: অসহায় - অক্ষমRussian: бессильный - беспомощныйJapanese: 無力な - 力のないVietnamese: bất lực - không có sứcKorean: 무력한 - 힘이 없는Turkish: güçsüz - çaresizUrdu: بے اختیار - بے بسIndonesian: tidak berdaya - tak berkuasa
Example Sentences
The people were powerless against the flood.
basic
He is powerless without his team.
basic
Sometimes I just feel completely powerless at work.
natural
She was powerless to stop the decision from being made.
natural
When things go wrong, it's easy to feel powerless and frustrated.
natural
I felt powerless to help my friend.
basic