hapless

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sam is hapless and downwardly mobile, yet he’s as likable as a shy puppy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

A week later they were dominant in going 21-0 ahead against Argentina and then hapless in conceding 33 points in the second half and losing.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Hence, this nimble, propulsive movie, given a loose intimacy by Juan Sarmiento’s 16mm cinematography, proves to be oddly heartfelt when seemingly most cruel about Oscar’s hapless earnestness.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

The new ads reunite Justin Long, who embodied a hip Mac laptop in Apple’s commercials, with John Hodgman, who played a hapless PC.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

It took Lee and his men less than three minutes of fighting to overcome the hapless rebellion.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson