powerless

powerless, impotent both mean unable to effect one's purpose, intention, or end.

Powerless denotes merely lack of power or efficacy which is often temporary or relative to a specific purpose or situation

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he suddenly found himself powerless to move

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powerless as an infant— De Quincey

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I hope that the luxuries of this palatial mansion are powerless to corrupt your heart— Shaw

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that mood of hopeless apathy that comes over men powerless to help themselves— Nordhoff & Hall

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Impotent (see also STERILE) implies not only powerlessness but positive weakness or, especially, complete ineffectiveness

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an angry little spitfire sea continually . . . thrashes with impotent irascibility— Stevenson

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impotent aristocrats talking about the code of chivalry but unable to bring it to life— Time

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terrible and impotent rage— Wilde

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Analogous words: inert, *inactive, passive, supine: feeble, *weak, infirm, decrepit

Antonyms: powerful: efficacious

Contrasted words: *effective, efficient