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Helplessness vs Powerless - What's the difference?

helplessness | powerless |

As a noun helplessness

is the state of being helpless.

As an adjective powerless is

lacking sufficient power or strength.

helplessness

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • The state of being helpless.
  • A feeling of inadequacy or impotence.
  • *
  • *:Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile?; he could not tell what this prisoner might do.

    • Synonyms

    * impotence

    See also

    * powerlessness

    External links

    * * *

    powerless

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Lacking sufficient power or strength.
    • You are powerless to stop me
  • *
  • Lacking legal authority.
    • The traffic warden was powerless to stop me driving away.

    Derived terms

    * powerlessness * superpowerless

    Synonyms

    * strengthless * weak * vulnerable

    Antonyms

    * powerful * strong