powerless

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'powerless' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe feeling or being unable to act or change something, for example: The powerless villagers watched hopelessly as the forest was destroyed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I felt powerless.

The New York Times

I felt powerless, and that even if there were something I could do, I wouldn't really know how to follow up.

The Guardian

Glenn Greenwald, for example, attacked PEN's decision, citing "the fraud of pretending that celebrations of Charlie Hebdo cartoonists are independent of the fact that the particular group they most prominently mock are Muslims, a marginalised, targeted, and largely powerless group in France".

The Guardian - Opinion

A fair society is not only open and free, it is also one that rejects huge inequalities of income and wealth, opposes coercion of the powerless, and believes in the common good.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even if I am powerless to do anything, I feel at some level that the guilt itself is important.

The Guardian

I felt very powerless at the time and I didn't have the support of anybody.

The Guardian

Not only was he saddled with an increasingly powerless general council, which spent much of the time squabbling with itself but during the Thatcher period Murray had to deal with Moss Evans of the TGWU, and David Basnett, of the general workers.

The Guardian

Well, here we are, with deflation threatening the continuation of such recovery as the eurozone has seen and, although the present European Central Bank president, Mario Draghi, has called for fiscal relaxation, he is powerless to initiate this, while the Germans continue to behave as though Weimar inflation were round the corner.

The Guardian - Business

Alerted to the deteriorating situation by neighbours, city authorities claimed they were powerless to intervene, apparently in the belief that they had no right to intercede on land belonging to private developers.

The Guardian

Other regional conflicts that look very difficult, meanwhile – the demise of a two-state solution for Israel-Palestine, for example – Rubio presented as every bit as confounding as they seem, with the United States powerless to act.

The Guardian

They also asked Savannah prosecutors to block the execution, although Chatham County district attorney Larry Chisolm said in a statement he was powerless to withdraw an execution order for Davis issued by a state superior court judge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "powerless", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific power or ability is lacking. Providing this clarity enhances the impact and precision of your writing.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating situations as completely "powerless" when there might be some level of influence or agency, however limited. Acknowledge potential nuances for greater accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "powerless" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate a lack of power, ability, or authority. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe individuals, groups, and even governments lacking control.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "powerless" is frequently used to describe a lack of influence, control, or ability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts, primarily within news and media. When employing "powerless", clarity is key; specifying what power is absent enhances the precision and impact of your writing. Alternatives such as "helpless" or "lacking influence" may be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoiding overstatement is essential to maintain accuracy in portraying situations as "powerless".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

helpless

Stresses the lack of ability to help oneself or others, often in situations of distress.

at the mercy of

Indicates being controlled or dominated by an external force or person.

lacking influence

Focuses specifically on the absence of impact or sway over situations or people.

vulnerable

Similar to defenseless, but emphasizes susceptibility to emotional or physical harm.

without authority

Highlights the absence of official or recognized power to make decisions or enforce rules.

under someone's thumb

Emphasizes being under the complete control or dominance of another person.

unable to act

Emphasizes the inability to perform an action due to constraints or limitations.

defenseless

Highlights a vulnerability to attack or harm, lacking the means to protect oneself.

ineffectual

Focuses on the inability to produce a desired effect or outcome.

incompetent

Suggests a lack of the necessary skills or qualities to perform a task effectively.

FAQs

How can I use the word "powerless" in a sentence?

You can use "powerless" to describe a lack of ability or authority to control a situation or influence an outcome. For example, "I felt "powerless" to help".

What's a good alternative to saying someone is "powerless"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "helpless", "vulnerable", or "lacking influence".

Is it correct to say someone is "powerless"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The word "powerless" is a standard adjective used to describe a lack of power or ability.

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

"Powerless" generally refers to a lack of physical or political power, while "impotent" often refers to a lack of effectiveness or, in a specific context, male sexual inability.