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impotent — unable to take effective action; helpless or powerless

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: unable to take effective action; helpless or powerless

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɪmpətənt/

Example Sentences

  • The security guard felt impotent watching the robbery through the broken radio.
  • My wifi was down, leaving me impotent against my Netflix addiction.
  • The diet plan left him impotent against the chocolate cake's temptation.

impotent

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈɪmpətənt/]

unable to take effective action; helpless or powerless

The old king felt impotent as enemies stormed his crumbling castle.
💡 Concept

The old king felt impotent as enemies stormed his crumbling castle.

Once potent components, now impotent and scattered
🎵 Rhyme

Once potent components, now impotent and scattered

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈɪmpətənt/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈɪmpətənt/

🌳Etymology

Prefixim--
Rootpot
Suffix--ent

Origin

From Latin 'impotens', derived from 'in-' (not) + 'potens' (able, powerful), which comes from 'potentia' meaning power or ability. The word entered English through Old French and Medieval Latin.

Breakdown

im- (not) + pot (power, able) + -ent (adjective suffix) = impotent

🎵Rhyme

potentquotientcomponent
potent
quotient
component

🔗Collocations

feel impotent
impotent rage
render someone impotent
politically impotent
impotent government

📝Examples

“The security guard felt impotent watching the robbery through the broken radio.”

😄 Fun example

“My wifi was down, leaving me impotent against my Netflix addiction.”

😄 Fun example

“The diet plan left him impotent against the chocolate cake's temptation.”

“The CEO's impotent leadership during the crisis cost the company millions.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

powerlesshelplessineffectiveweakuseless

Antonyms

potentpowerfuleffective

Related

impotencepotentpotentialomnipotent

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