noun · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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General-American:/ˈhɛlplɪsnɪs/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:HH EH1 L P L AH0 S N AH0 S
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The state of being helpless.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
Examples
Near-synonyms: powerlessness, impotence
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: powerlessness, impotence
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A feeling of inadequacy or impotence.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
powerlessness revealed by an inability to act
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
in spite of their weakness the group remains active
