powerless

UK: /ˈpaʊə^rləs/ US: /ˈpaʊɚlɪs/ ,(pou′ər lis)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pow•er•less /ˈpaʊɚlɪs/   adj. 

1. unable to produce an effect:
   [be + ~ + to + verb] I was powerless to stop the crash.
2. lacking power to act;
   helpless:
   powerless, weak creatures.

pow•er•less•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pow•er•less  (pou′ər lis), adj. 

1. unable to produce an effect:
   a disease against which modern medicine is virtually powerless.
2. lacking power to act;
   helpless:
   His legs crumpled, and he was powerless to rise.

• power + -less 1545–55

pow′er•less•ly, adv. 
pow′er•less•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. . ineffective.
• 2. . feeble, impotent, prostrate, infirm.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

powerless / ˈpaʊəlɪs/ adjective

1. without power or authority

ˈpowerlessly adverb

ˈpowerlessness noun