Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a powerless manner; without power; weakly.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a powerless manner.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb in a powerless manner

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

powerless +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • So I must say, this judge has balls, or rather is delusional, since, from the point of view of Congolese like me, more used to powerlessly witnessing the criminal practices of our leaders, who ends up believing and accepting things by force, the right [of our leaders] to impunity is absolute and inviolable.

    Global Voices in English » Paris court investigates three African leaders 2009

  • We have sat powerlessly by while our children were sent to a totally unnecessary war to kill the children of other parents.

    The Necessary Remedy 2009

  • Meanwhile, Anakin must watch powerlessly from the shadows as his lady love willingly and deliberately courts the affections of another man….

    Star Wars: The Clone Wars Sneak Peek: Senate Spy | Major Spoilers - Comic Book Reviews and News 2009

  • Hopefully, through the cheers and camaraderie of the those people, they get the idea that the "power of the people" can make the difference in their world and, they don't need to feel powerlessly ruled by politicians sitting in smoke filled rooms.

    My Kid's First Presidential Election 2009

  • We have seen the pain in the eyes of someone who has to watch powerlessly as it takes their loved one down and sometimes even tears at the fabric of the family itself.

    Maria Shriver: Alzheimer's: A Baby Boomer Epidemic 2009

  • Kitty, farmers and distributors who have been in constant contact with LOU DOBBS TONIGHT since this outbreak became known have watched powerlessly as the FDA put the brakes on the tomato industry at the height of the late spring early summer season.

    CNN Transcript Jul 25, 2008 2008

  • It is this sort of woman's repression as practiced on a state level which needs to be addressed far more often in forums such as this, so women living under such systems (often even in Western Europe and the like) do not come away feeling powerlessly guilty, without hope etc. Pray for such state-sponsored madness to end. blessings, mrs.

    Born at Home 2006

  • I heard the weeping of my foremothers as they watched powerlessly as their children were sold away from them.

    Feministing: November 2008 Archives 2008

  • Too often these days, parents aren't so much banished from the treatment process as sidelined, watching powerlessly as doctors take what can be extreme measures to make their children well.

    Fighting Anorexia: No One To Blame 2007

  • And yet again, a vulnerable individual lies powerlessly in the middle.

    The Case of L.G. 2007

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