helplessness

/ˈhelpləsnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhelpləsnəs/ (ame, ipa)

helplessness — noun

1. the feeling or condition of not being able to control or change what is happenin

1.名詞B2
釋義

the feeling or condition of not being able to control or change what is happening to you, which often brings worry, sadness, or fear.

例句

After losing his job, Andrew felt a deep sense of helplessness about the future.

collocation: sense of helplessness + about

The helplessness of watching a loved one suffer can be overwhelming.

pattern: the helplessness of [gerund phrase]

同義詞
  • powerlessness

    Focuses more on lacking authority or influence; 'helplessness' has a stronger emotional dimension

  • vulnerability

    Emphasises being open to harm; 'helplessness' stresses the inability to act

  • weakness

    Broader term; can refer to physical, moral, or structural frailty rather than emotional state

  • dependency

    Focuses on reliance on others; 'helplessness' is more about the feeling than the relation

反義詞
  • control

    Having the ability to direct one's own situation

  • power

    Having the strength or authority to take action

  • independence

    Being able to manage without relying on others

  • self-sufficiency

    Being able to meet one's own needs without outside help

文法句型

a feeling/sense of helplessness

helplessness about/at [something]

[possessive] + helplessness

用法筆記

Frequently appears in the patterns 'a feeling of helplessness' or 'a sense of helplessness', often followed by 'about' or 'at' to name the cause (e.g. helplessness about the future, helplessness at not being able to help).

常見錯誤

❌He sank into a deep hopelessness after the accident' (when meaning he felt he could not do anything).
✅He sank into a deep helplessness after the accident.
💡'hopelessness' is about lack of optimism; 'helplessness' is about lack of power or control.