helpless

adjective

help·less ˈhel-pləs

Southern often ˈhep-ləs,

also ˈheəp-

Synonyms of helpless next

: lacking protection or support : defenseless

as helpless as a flock of shepherdless sheep—

W. H. Mallock

: marked by an inability to act or react

the crowd looked on in helpless horror—

Current Biography

: not able to be controlled or restrained

helpless laughter

helplessly adverb

helplessness noun

Examples of helpless in a Sentence

The civilians were helpless against their attackers. Firefighters were helpless against the blaze. I feel helpless. Isn't there anything I can do? The crowd was helpless with laughter. He was helpless with rage.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

As the screaming continued, the terrified neighbor, 44, shooed her young sons away from the door and looked through the peephole into the hallway, watching as the assailant stabbed the helpless woman in the back of her neck with a knife at least 8 inches long. —

Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025 What can people do to spread more civility rather than feeling helpless? —

Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jan. 2025 Occasionally there’ll be the odd helpless character, like Anakin Skywalker, to escort to safety. —

Joshua Lamb, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 Trees and vegetation are always slumbering, helpless at the woodman’s axe or the casual munching of a ruminant. —

Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for helpless