powerless — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Lacking sufficient power or strength.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   In Sweden, as we saw, the mistletoe which is gathered on Midsummer Eve is attached to the ceiling of the house, the horse's stall or the cow's crib, in the belief that this renders the Troll powerless to injure man and beast.

   “Imagine the growing regrets, the longing to escape, the powerless disgust, the surrender, the hate.”

   It is said that his right arm had grown powerless from having been raised so often over the heads of those whom he baptized.

   More examples (3)

   One thing is clear: after the first accident had occurred, the enginemen on the down express were powerless to avoid the second collision.

   Tilling my own grave to keep me level Jam another dragon down the hole Digging to the rhythm and the echo of a solitary siren One that pushes me along and leaves me so Desperate and ravenous I'm so weak and powerless Over you

   Frank desperately wanted to help. To do something. Anything. But he was powerless to stop what was about to happen.

2. Lacking legal authority.

   Examples

   The traffic warden was powerless to stop me driving away.

3. Without electricity or electrical power.

   Examples

   During the storm, the entire neighborhood was left powerless for several hours

Adjective

1. lacking power

   Antonyms

   powerful