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.

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

Stagflation set in, and the Nixon, Ford and Carter administrations all flailed helplessly at the beast.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

All they could do was watch helplessly as Italy and Mexico squared off in a matchup that would determine their fate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Littler averaged in excess of 107 for much of the match, eventually coming in at 106.02, to leave Van Veen - at fractionally shy of 100 - trailing helplessly behind.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2026

It was mean of me to treat her that way, and now she was looking at me, oh so helplessly, with her pale face and beseeching eyes.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank