Word Noun
helplessness
n.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈhɛɫpɫəsnəs/ UK /hˈɛlpləsnəs/ help·less·ness UK spelling helplessnesses
Definition
n.the feeling that you cannot do anything to change a situation or help someone else. It is a strong feeling of being stuck and unable to act.
n.the state of being unable to influence or change a situation, often accompanied by a sense of despair or lack of control.
Examples
“The feeling of helplessness grew as the storm continued.”
“Witnessing the accident without being able to assist left him with a deep sense of helplessness.”
“The protagonist's internal struggle is defined by a profound helplessness regarding her family's financial decline, despite her own efforts to find a solution.”
Etymology
From helpless + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated