powerless

Powerless is an adjective used to describe the lack of power, capacity, or authority to act in a given situation. It can refer to physical strength, control over events, political influence, or social agency. The term can describe individuals, groups, institutions, or systems that have limited ability to affect outcomes.

In social and political analysis, the word is often applied to marginalized or underrepresented populations that lack political voice or leverage. In psychology, powerless is associated with perceived or real lack of control, a condition linked to the concept of learned helplessness, in which repeated uncontrollable experiences reduce motivation to act.

The word also appears in everyday use to denote a lack of electrical power or operational capability, as in devices or buildings that have no power supply or fail to function. Etymologically, powerless is formed from the noun power plus the suffix -less, indicating “without power”; it derives from the English word power, with roots in earlier European languages.

In culture, the term has been used as a motif to explore themes of control, resistance, and vulnerability. It has appeared as a title or theme in various works of music, film, and television, as well as in discussions of social or political phenomena.

See also: power, impotence, helplessness, empowerment, oppression.