1
as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack
after the storm we found a helpless baby bird that had fallen out of its nest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in paralyzed
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
we watched, feeling helpless, as the vase slipped from her hand and crashed to the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of helpless
Even with Penny’s acquittal, Bragg’s prosecution will make good people think twice before coming to the aid of helpless people.
—
The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
Other Trump aides who were not at the club at the time were helpless to stop him.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Existing franchises that have successfully executed complex roster-building strategies hate seeing their hard work undone, helpless as key role players depart.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2024
With the Anschluss came atrocities, as Hitler’s boys had their way with the helpless.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for helpless 
The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
Other Trump aides who were not at the club at the time were helpless to stop him.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Existing franchises that have successfully executed complex roster-building strategies hate seeing their hard work undone, helpless as key role players depart.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2024
With the Anschluss came atrocities, as Hitler’s boys had their way with the helpless.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for helpless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpless
Adjective
-
While Palantir excels operationally with recession-resilient contracts, its valuation leaves investors vulnerable to GDP declines; Palantir's stock could decline by -50% or more in a recession.GuruFocus, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
-
What the culture needs instead, Way suggested, is to teach the value of empathy, of being vulnerable, of being curious about other people.Matthew Schnipper, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
But Musk scored victories by launching and catching a SpaceX rocket and implanting the first Neuralink chip into a paralyzed patient’s brain.Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 30 Dec. 2024
-
James’ novella concerns a self-fulfilling prophecy about a paralyzed existence ending tragically with a protagonist realizing he’s wasted his life away due to fear of the unknown.Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Consequently, consumers endure the worst of both worlds: a commodity that is susceptible to rapid price increases, lacking the infrastructure to reduce prices during periods of overproduction, all while relying on an emissions-intensive delivery system.Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
-
Injuries happen in the NHL all the time, but some roles and positions are more susceptible to them.Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Its woman-on-the-run story is weak at times, not quite engaging enough to get through the constant death and destruction.Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
-
China’s persistently low consumer inflation indicates that China is struggling with weak domestic demand, stoking fears of deflation.Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The Rangers have been powerless on the advantage with 2.86 goals per 60, which lands them 31st ahead of only the Islanders.Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
-
Shortly afterwards, Italy international Locatelli blocked an effort from Albert Gudmundsson but was powerless to prevent Kean equalising with a glancing header just before half time.Adam Digby, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But will the Trump administration continue the Biden initiative? 5. Unqualified, incompetent, or otherwise inappropriate leadership picks.Eli Amdur, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
-
Even though the Seahawks claimed the victory in this incompetent effort, the silver lining was that their playoff hopes remain alive as of Week 17.David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near helpless
Cite this Entry
“Helpless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpless. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share