impotence
/ˈɪmpətəns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪmpətəns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈim-pə-tən(t)s/ (ame, mw)
impotence — noun
1. when a person or group wants to fix a difficult problem but discovers they simpl
when a person or group wants to fix a difficult problem but discovers they simply cannot, because they lack the necessary authority or means.
Yuki felt political impotence as the factory closed despite months of protests.
figurative use: political impotence
The citizens' impotence in the face of widespread corruption only deepened their frustration.
Doctors often speak of their impotence when a rare disease has no known treatment.
Obi's impotence to stop the demolition of his childhood home left him heartbroken.
There was a collective impotence among the villagers as the floodwaters rose past the sandbags.
- powerlessness
more common in everyday speech; less formal than impotence
- helplessness
stronger emotional tone; implies vulnerability, not just lack of power
- inability
broader; does not carry the same sense of frustration or desire to act
文法句型
impotence + infinitive
a sense/feeling of impotence
用法筆記
Frequently appears in political, social, or emotional contexts. Often paired with 'a sense of' or 'feeling of' to describe frustration at one's own helplessness. Distinguish from sense 2 (erectile dysfunction), which is the narrower medical meaning.
常見錯誤
2. a medical problem that stops a man from getting or keeping an erection firm enou
a medical problem that stops a man from getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sexual activity.
Gabriel began to experience impotence after his diabetes diagnosis and spoke to his doctor.
Many effective treatments for impotence are now available through specialist clinics.
uncountable noun: no article needed
Lucas found that regular exercise and a healthier diet helped reduce his impotence.
The leaflet explains which blood pressure medications can cause impotence as a side effect.
Apinya's husband visited a urologist to discuss his impotence and possible treatment.
- erectile dysfunction
the modern clinical term; more neutral and less stigmatised
- ED
common abbreviation used in medical discussions
- sexual dysfunction
wider category that includes other conditions beyond erection problems
文法句型
suffer from impotence
treat impotence
cause impotence
用法筆記
The preferred medical term is 'erectile dysfunction' (ED), which is considered more clinical and less negatively connoted. 'Impotence' is still widely used but can carry embarrassment or stigma. Frequently appears with 'suffer from', 'experience', or 'treat'.
常見錯誤
3. a medical condition affecting a man's reproductive system that prevents him from
a medical condition affecting a man's reproductive system that prevents him from fathering a child.
Medical tests confirmed that Christopher's impotence was caused by a low sperm count.
distinguished from erectile dysfunction: sperm-count issue
The couple decided to explore adoption after learning of Walid's impotence.
Treatments for male impotence now include hormone therapy and assisted reproductive techniques.
Élise and her husband met a fertility specialist to discuss his impotence in detail.
A simple blood test can sometimes reveal the underlying cause of male impotence.
- infertility
the preferred modern term; can apply to women as well
- sterility
more absolute and permanent; considered less sensitive
- subfertility
medical term for reduced but not absent fertility
- fertility
direct opposite
文法句型
cause impotence
male impotence
treat impotence
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with 'infertility' and is less commonly used than senses 1 or 2. It specifically refers to the inability to conceive a child, which may exist together with or independently of erectile dysfunction (sense 2). The term 'male infertility' is now more common in medical writing.