impuissant
adjective
im·puis·sant (ˌ)im-ˈpwi-sᵊnt 
(ˌ)im-ˈpyü-ə-sənt;
ˌim-pyü-ˈi-sᵊnt
: weak, powerless
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Both the adjective "impuissant" and the noun "impuissance" came to English from Middle French. They are derived from the prefix in- (meaning "not") and the noun "puissance," which means "power" and is a word in English in its own right. Puissance derives from the verb poer, meaning "to be able or "to be powerful," and is ultimately related to the same Latin roots that gave us words such as "power" and "potent." While both "puissant" and "impuissance" first appeared in English during the 15th century, "impuissant" did not make its first appearance in our language until 1629.
Synonyms
- hamstrung
- handcuffed
- helpless
- high and dry
- hog-tied
- impotent
- paralyzed
- powerless
- weak
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
claims that such restrictions on military interventions on foreign soil would render the nation an impuissant giant on the world stage
Recent Examples on the Web The failsafe option of fake news Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the impuissant opposition, settled down in a comfortable chair, and readied himself for his regular, televised roasting. 
Isobel Thompson, The Hive, 5 Apr. 2017 The failsafe option of fake newsJeremy Corbyn, leader of the impuissant opposition, settled down in a comfortable chair, and readied himself for his regular, televised roasting. Isobel Thompson, The Hive, 5 Apr. 2017
Isobel Thompson, The Hive, 5 Apr. 2017 The failsafe option of fake newsJeremy Corbyn, leader of the impuissant opposition, settled down in a comfortable chair, and readied himself for his regular, televised roasting. Isobel Thompson, The Hive, 5 Apr. 2017 Word History
Etymology
French
First Known Use
1629, in the meaning defined above
impuissant
adjective
as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose claims that such restrictions on military interventions on foreign soil would render the nation an impuissant giant on the world stage Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- helpless
- paralyzed
- weak
- incompetent
- high and dry
- powerless
- impotent
- passive
- incapable
- handcuffed
- hamstrung
- useless
- ineffective
- unfit
- feeble
- ineffectual
- hog-tied
- supine
- inept
- infirm
- spineless
- unaggressive
- frail
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- powerful
- effective
- capable
- efficient
- strong
- mighty
- potent
- able
- competent
- puissant
- autocratical
- dominant
- important
- dynamic
- despotic
- authoritarian
- autocratic
- tyrannical
- dictatorial
- magisterial
- tough
- major
- robust
- vigorous
- significant
- forceful
- sturdy
- energetic
- tyrannic
- top
- senior
- high-level
- knacky
- knag
- knagged
- knaggy
- knags
- knaidel
- knaidlach
- knap
- closed gentian
- closed hand
- closed in
- closed in (on)
- closed in on
- closed issue
- closed loop
- closed mortgage
- closed off
- closed one's doors
- closed one's doors (to)
- closed one's doors to
- closed one's eyes to
- closed out
- closed pair
- closed planer
- closed poker