/ ˈpaʊələs; NAmE ˈpaʊərləs/ adjective
1.
without power to control or to influence sb/sth
SYN helpless :
powerless minorities
When the enemy attacked, we were completely powerless against them.
2.
powerless to do sth completely unable to do sth :
I saw what was happening, but I was powerless to help.
► power·less·ness noun [ U ]:
a feeling / sense of powerlessness