powerless
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.
Across the pavements, residential areas and public spaces of African cities, the informal economy is booming under the noses of authorities, who are often powerless to stop it.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
It also meant the court was powerless to take his driving licence.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
We observe them lamenting how powerless they feel: Their medical skills can do some good, but not nearly enough.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
He and a co-author used “unpleasant monetarist arithmetic” to show that if people don’t believe their government will eventually raise enough taxes to pay back debt, the central bank can be powerless to stop inflation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
There was something horribly fascinating about his recital that she was powerless to escape from.
From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks
