powerless

Universal Words adjective 1 without power to control or to influence sb/sth SYNHELPLESS: powerless minorities * When the enemy attacked, we were completely powerless against them. * As children we all feel powerless. 2 ~ to do sth completely unable to do sth: I saw what was happening, but I was powerless to help. * The Embassy seemed powerless to intervene. powerlessness noun [U]: a feeling / sense of powerlessness