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Powerless: meaning, definitions and examples

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powerless

 

[ ˈpaʊərlɪs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Lacking power or ability; helpless; impotent.

Synonyms

helpless, impotent, incapable, ineffective, weak

Examples of usage

  • She felt powerless to change the situation.
  • He was rendered powerless by the spell.
  • The powerless child looked up at the towering figure before him.
  • The citizens felt powerless against the corrupt government.
  • The powerless feeling of not being able to help was overwhelming.
Context #2 | Adjective

society

Not having political or social influence; lacking authority or control.

Synonyms

disenfranchised, marginalized, oppressed, subjugated, voiceless

Examples of usage

  • The marginalized group felt powerless in the face of discrimination.
  • Being a minority, they often felt powerless in decision-making processes.
  • The workers were left feeling powerless against the company's policies.
  • In a dictatorship, the citizens are often made to feel powerless.

Etymology

The word 'powerless' originated in the late 16th century, formed by combining 'power' with the suffix '-less', meaning 'without'. It has been used in English to describe the state of lacking power or ability, both physically and politically. The concept of powerlessness has been explored in various fields, including psychology and sociology, highlighting the impact of feeling powerless on individuals and societies.

See also: empower, overpower, overpowered, overpowering, powered, powerful, powerfully, powerhouse, powering, powerlessly, powerlessness, powerplant, powers, superpower.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,529, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.