powerless

Word family

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++pow·er·less /ˈpaʊələs $ ˈpaʊr-/ adjective POWERunable to stop or control something because you do not have the power, strength, or legal right to do so 无权力［利］的；无力量的；无能为力的 → powerful He felt so powerless. 他感到如此无助。powerless to do something Local police were powerless to stop them doing it again. 当地警方无力阻止他们再次行动。powerless against The villagers were powerless against the rising flood water. 村民们对上涨的洪水无能为力。 —powerlessly adverb —powerlessness noun [uncountable] a sense of frustration and powerlessness 一种沮丧无望的感觉

Examples from the Corpus

powerless• The Madiatma was a symbol of strength to a nation that felt powerless.• Blocked by the Democrats in the Senate, Bush appeared powerless.• Only calamity and desolation awaited this continent, and he felt almost powerless against the evils.• Citizens imprisoned for their political beliefs are powerless against the government.• The people of Hungary were powerless against the tanks of the Red Army.• Ewing suggests that young killers often vent their rage on a smaller victim because they are powerless against their adult abusers.• Each side generates a discourse that is powerless and almost meaningless in the linguistic world of the other.• The average citizen feels completely powerless faced with the rising tide of crime and violence.• Although we all thought the decision was unfair, we were powerless to change it.• Now, though, she was even powerless to move, although he did not attempt to draw her against him.• Shy but cordial friendships were struck up, which Mrs Thomlinson was powerless to prevent or subvert.• The UN was powerless to prevent the war spreading.• It just hits you like some spiteful virus and down you go, knowing it's crazy but powerless to resist.• He has been virtually powerless to stop franchise-hopping.powerless against• Smith was powerless against office gossip.