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.

Which reminds me of another hapless cartoon character who thought himself a genius but who kept screwing things up in ceaseless pursuit of his quarry: Wile E. Coyote.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 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

A hapless 3-0 defeat by bottom side Wolves on Saturday came as a stark reality check for the Hammers.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2026

Ellis Genge showed his England quality to help Bristol rout hapless Harlequins 40-14 at Twickenham.

From Barron's • Dec. 20, 2025

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