powerless
/'pauəlis/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lacking power, strength, or ability: Being without the capacity, force, or authority to act, control, or influence a situation.
- Without authority or legal right: Lacking the official or legal power to do something.
Usage
The adjective "powerless" describes a state of being unable to effect change, provide help, or exert control. It often conveys a sense of vulnerability, helplessness, or lack of agency. - It is commonly used with a preposition like "against", "to", or "in the face of" to specify the force or situation one cannot resist. - It can describe a person, group, institution, or even a feeling.
Examples
- General Use:
- The villagers felt powerless against the advancing floodwaters.
- Without evidence, the police were powerless to make an arrest.
- Lacking Authority:
- The committee is powerless to change the company's core policy.
- A powerless monarch is merely a ceremonial figurehead.
Advanced Usage
- "to feel powerless": to experience a strong sensation of being unable to act or help.
- Watching the crisis unfold from afar, she felt utterly powerless.
- "to render someone powerless": to take away someone's power or ability to act.
- The new law effectively rendered the old council powerless.
Variants and Related Words
- Powerlessness (noun): The state or condition of being powerless.
- A sense of powerlessness can lead to frustration and apathy.
Synonyms
- Helpless: Unable to defend oneself or to act without help.
- Impotent: Completely unable to take effective action; lacking power (often with a connotation of frustration).
- Defenseless: Lacking protection or the means to defend.
Antonyms
- Powerful: Having great power, strength, or influence.
- Potent: Having great power, influence, or effect.
- Empowered: Given the authority or power to do something.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- Powerless to do something: Completely unable to take a specific action.
- The doctors were powerless to save him.
- Hold someone powerless: To keep someone in a state where they cannot act.
- The complex bureaucracy held the citizens powerless.
Adjective
-
lacking power
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