impotent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'impotent' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective, meaning "powerless to do anything," and is often used to describe someone's power or strength. Example sentence: Feeling impotent in the face of such tragedy, the mayor could only offer words of comfort.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But this play, with all its prejudices, forces me to do so, with Jake becoming impotent because of his concerns for caring for Joey.

The Guardian - Opinion

Recently when drunk he admitted in an answerphone machine that he had been impotent from a very early age, and that he had been trying to find ways to compensate for this heavy and painful secret.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many believe their tea is dosed with bromide to keep them impotent and therefore passive.

The Guardian

In a competition between a chocolate fireguard and an assistant referee, those peculiarly impotent additions vociferously promoted by Michel Platini as an alternative to video technology, the former would surely triumph when it came to usefulness.

The Guardian - Sport

The increasing surveillance and tsunami of new laws are merely the largely impotent reaction of a government that wants to be seen to be doing something and "sending messages" when it is actually powerless to deal with Britain's worsening social breakdown.

The Guardian - Opinion

In terms of prestige, Longford had reached the pinnacle of his career but, in practice, he was impotent, and often resorted to playing up to his image as the cabinet jester.

The Guardian

Occasional meaty parts continued to come his way, including the eponymous gangster in Lepke (1975) and the fading, impotent movie star in the lugubrious The Last Tycoon (1976).

The Guardian - Film

A lot of Hitchcock's male leads were in effect Hitch, including another Stewart character: the voyeuristic, impotent photographer "Jeff" Jeffries in Rear Window.

The Guardian - Film

If an inner core of leaders "caucus" together and stitch up deals on the single market or financial services, Britain could be left seething with impotent frustration.Then add a deepening of the crisis in the euro zone.

The Economist

The dead of two world wars are being betrayed by Westminster politicians "impotent" to defend democracy.

The Economist

In China, by contrast, the optimists score 83%.British voters are duly punishing their politicians, who seem impotent in the face of global economic storms.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impotent", consider the specific connotation you wish to convey. It can refer to a lack of physical strength, a lack of power to effect change, or, more rarely, sexual impotence. Choose the word that best fits the context.

Common error

While "impotent" is grammatically correct, avoid overuse in casual conversation. Simpler words like "weak" or "powerless" might be more appropriate and sound less formal in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The word "impotent" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a state of lacking power, strength, or effectiveness. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it can describe governments, individuals, or even abstract concepts like climate policy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "impotent" is a versatile adjective used to describe a lack of power, strength, or effectiveness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, business and scientific contexts. While "powerless", "weak", and "ineffective" serve as alternatives, be mindful of the slightly more formal tone of "impotent". Employing this word accurately will enhance clarity and precision in your writing, ensuring you convey the intended message of inefficacy with impact. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its prevalence and adaptability in diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

powerless

Focuses specifically on the absence of power or authority.

ineffective

Emphasizes the inability to produce a desired result.

weak

Highlights a lack of physical strength or, metaphorically, a lack of influence.

helpless

Implies an inability to act independently or to protect oneself.

feeble

Suggests a general lack of strength or vigor, often due to age or illness.

incapable

Highlights a lack of ability or qualification for a specific task.

fruitless

Describes efforts that do not yield any positive outcome.

sterile

In a figurative sense, describes something that is unproductive or barren.

inadequate

Suggests that something is insufficient or not good enough for a particular purpose.

deficient

Emphasizes a lack of an essential quality or element.

FAQs

How can I use "impotent" in a sentence?

You can use "impotent" to describe something or someone lacking power or effectiveness. For instance, "The government seemed "impotent" in the face of the economic crisis." or "He felt "powerless" in the situation.

What are some synonyms for "impotent"?

Synonyms for "impotent" include "powerless", "weak", "ineffective", "helpless", and "feeble". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "impotent" and "powerless"?

"Impotent" and "powerless" are often used interchangeably, but "impotent" can sometimes carry a stronger connotation of ineffectiveness or a lack of inherent ability to act. "Powerless" generally refers to a lack of authority or control.

Is "impotent" a formal word?

Yes, "impotent" is generally considered a formal word. While perfectly acceptable in everyday usage, in informal contexts, consider alternatives such as "weak" or "ineffective" for a more casual tone.