powerless

adjective

1. 1

   Lacking sufficient power or strength.

   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.

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

2. 2

   Lacking legal authority.

   The traffic warden was powerless to stop me driving away.

3. 3

   Without electricity or electrical power.

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

Forms

comparative

more powerless

superlative

most powerless