-au̇(ə)rlə̇s, -au̇əl-, -au̇wəl- adjective
1. : devoid of strength or resources : helpless , impotent
powerless in the hands of her remorseless … enemy — W.M.Thackeray
2. : lacking the authority or capacity to act : unable — used with following infinitive
arguing that he was powerless to do away with the odious institution — Lytton Strachey
became entangled in the marsh … and was powerless to make the attack — American Guide Series: Louisiana
• pow·er·less·ly adverb