powerless

Unable to do something or change a situation because you lack strength or control.

• I felt powerless to help.
• They were powerless against the strong current.
• She watched, powerless, as the fire spread.

How to use it: powerless to do something (We were powerless to prevent the closure.); powerless against something (The small boat was powerless against the waves.)

Similar words: helpless, weak

Opposites: powerful

Common phrases: feel powerless, powerless to act, powerless against something

Unable to act because the law does not give you the right to do so.

• The council is powerless to change the law.
• Police were powerless to enter without a warrant.
• The court remained powerless outside its own jurisdiction.

How to use it: powerless to do something (The agency is powerless to impose a fine.)

Similar words: unauthorized

Common phrases: legally powerless, powerless to intervene, powerless under something

Having no electricity available.

• The storm left our house powerless.
• Thousands of homes remained powerless overnight.
• The village was powerless after the cables fell.

Similar words: without power

Common phrases: left powerless, powerless homes, powerless after something