powerless

/ˈpaʊələs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpaʊərləs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ləs/ (ame, mw)

powerless — adjective

  • powerlesspositive
  • more powerlesscomparative
  • most powerlesssuperlative

1. not having the strength, authority, or support needed to control a situation or

1.形容詞B2
釋義

not having the strength, authority, or support needed to control a situation or influence what happens.

例句

After the vote, the small party was powerless in the city council.

political context after a linking verb

Many workers felt powerless when the factory boss ignored their complaints.

feel powerless

同義詞
  • weak

    is broader and may refer to physical strength, arguments, or position.

  • voiceless

    stresses having no real chance to express an opinion, especially in society.

  • subordinate

    focuses more on lower rank inside an organization than on total lack of influence.

反義詞
  • powerful

    suggests having strong control, authority, or effect.

  • influential

    focuses on the ability to affect decisions or opinions.

  • independent

    suggests freedom from another person's control.

文法句型

feel powerless

be powerless against + person/force

remain powerless

用法筆記

Common with against when a stronger person, group, or system is blocking you. Distinguish from adjective/2: this sense describes someone's position or lack of influence, not one blocked action in a single moment.

常見錯誤

❌The baby was powerless after the fever.
✅The baby was weak after the fever.
💡'powerless' is about lacking control or influence, not low physical strength.
❌My phone is powerless.
✅My phone is out of power.
💡'powerless' usually describes people or groups, not a device with an empty battery.

2. unable to stop, change, or improve what is happening, even though you want to.

2.形容詞B2
釋義

unable to stop, change, or improve what is happening, even though you want to.

例句

Elena was powerless to stop the car sliding on the ice.

powerless to + infinitive

Watching from the shore, Ben felt powerless to help the drowning dog.

feel powerless to help

同義詞
  • helpless

    is often more emotional and especially common when someone needs rescue or care.

  • unable

    is more neutral and simply states lack of ability.

  • stuck

    is informal and may suggest having no good way forward rather than complete loss of power.

反義詞
  • able

    direct opposite when someone has the power or chance to act.

  • capable

    stresses having enough skill or strength to do something.

  • in control

    focuses on directing the situation instead of being blocked by it.

文法句型

be powerless to stop something

feel powerless to help

stand powerless as + clause

用法筆記

Only sense that regularly takes to + infinitive to name the blocked action. Distinguish from adjective/1: here the focus is a particular problem or emergency, not a person's general place in a system.

常見錯誤

❌I was powerless changing the school rule.
✅I was powerless to change the school rule.
💡Use 'powerless to + verb' for the action you cannot do.
❌We were powerless for stop the fire.
✅We were powerless to stop the fire.
💡Use 'to', not 'for', before the verb.