🇬🇧🇨🇳 powerless - 无力 : English Lesson

Meaning of "powerless" ("无力"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

"Powerless" is an adjective used to describe a state of being unable to act, influence, or control a situation. It implies a lack of strength, authority, or capability to change or affect outcomes.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

I felt powerless as my dog happily rolled in mud right after a bath.

I was powerless to stop my dad from telling embarrassing stories about me at dinner.

No matter how hard I try, I’m powerless to wake up early on a weekend.

I was powerless when my best friend showed up with a giant bag of chips—I had to eat some!

I felt powerless when the cookie jar was placed on the highest shelf.

He watched the small dog slip under the gate and into the road, powerless to call it back. Powerless hands held the leash. A powerless voice called. Powerless, he ran after it but could not move the heavy gate. A neighbour came, opened the gate, and the dog returned. He stood, still somewhat powerless, then finally smiled with relief.

This word is at the C2 level, which means it represents the highest mastery of English. It’s often used in specialized or highly formal contexts and helps you communicate with precision and subtlety, much like a native speaker.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.