helplessly

ADVERB

incapably

Synonyms

STRONGEST

weakly

WEAK

dependent destitute feebly forlorn forsaken involuntarily perforce willy-nilly with hands tied

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.

Intel, as investors are painfully aware, has watched helplessly as other tech companies racked up huge gains.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

And yet, every time, Lucy yanked the ball away at the last moment, leaving Charlie Brown flying helplessly through the air.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Her baby sister gurgling helplessly in the background isn’t the only one utterly dependent on her maternal care.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

A late third from Yeremy Pino gave the scoreline a flattering feel as Slot watched on helplessly in the heavy Anfield rain.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2025

You kept your distance, because you knew if you didn’t, you’d be helplessly and hopelessly caught up in everything you loved about her.

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon