impuissance
/im'pju:isnt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A state of powerlessness or helplessness, characterized by an inability to act or exert influence despite a desire or need to do so. It denotes a lack of strength, authority, or efficacy.
Usage
"Impuissance" is a formal noun used to describe a condition of weakness or incapacity. It often refers to a political, social, or personal inability to effect change or take action. * The treaty highlighted the military impuissance of the small nation against its larger neighbor. * Feeling a sense of impuissance, she watched the crisis unfold without any means to help.
Examples
- The report detailed the impuissance of the regulatory body to enforce the new laws.
- His impuissance in the face of the bureaucracy was frustrating.
- The general's impuissance led to a swift and decisive defeat.
Advanced Usage
- Political/Legal Context: Often used to describe the ineffectiveness of institutions or governments.
- The court's ruling exposed the impuissance of the executive branch in this matter.
- Literary/Formal Tone: Commonly found in analytical, academic, or literary writing rather than everyday conversation.
Variants and Related Words
- Impotence (noun): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "impuissance," though it can have specific connotations related to physical or sexual incapacity.
- Powerlessness (noun): A more common and direct synonym.
- Helplessness (noun): Emphasizes the lack of aid or recourse.
- Inefficacy (noun): Focuses on the lack of power to produce a desired effect.
Synonyms
- Weakness
- Incapacity
- Ineffectiveness
- Feebleness
- Frailty
Antonyms
- Power
- Potency
- Strength
- Efficacy
- Omnipotence
Noun
- powerlessness revealed by an inability to act
- in spite of their weakness the group remains active