Word
impotent
Phoneticsim·po·tent, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪmpətənt/
UK/ˈɪmpətənt/
Definition
adj. feeling completely powerless or unable to change a situation. It describes the frustration of having no control over what is happening.
adj. lacking the power or ability to take effective action. Often describes a person's status or feelings in the face of systemic or overwhelming forces.
Examples
“He felt impotent as he watched the storm destroy his garden.”
“The local government felt impotent to stop the factory closure because the decision was made at a global headquarters.”
“The protagonist is portrayed as an impotent observer of his own life, capable of identifying his mistakes but unable to summon the will to rectify them.”
Examples
simple
“He felt impotent as he watched the storm destroy his garden.”
contextual
“The local government felt impotent to stop the factory closure because the decision was made at a global headquarters.”
complex
“The protagonist is portrayed as an impotent observer of his own life, capable of identifying his mistakes but unable to summon the will to rectify them.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel', 'seem', or 'become'.
Real-World Examples
“McInnes and his driven and vastly superior players neutralised Celtic, shut them down, rendered them impotent.” Etymology
From Old French impotent, from Latin impotēns, from in- (expresses negation) + potēns (“powerful”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/impotent