powerless | meaning of powerless in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE

From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpowerlesspow‧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  He felt so powerless.powerless to do something  Local police were powerless to stop them doing it again.powerless against  The villagers were powerless against the rising flood water. —powerlessly adverb —powerlessness noun [uncountable]  a sense of frustration and powerlessnessExamples from the Corpuspowerless• 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.• 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.