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

Baldwin was so hapless that he didn’t even know when he was near death.

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

What's also obvious is that the hapless state of the club goes way deeper than those two over-promoted characters.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

On February 5, 1958, the hapless Vanguard team tried again for orbit and failed, although this time their rocket managed to at least clear the gantry before it blew up.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam