Definition of Helplessness

1. Noun. Powerlessness revealed by an inability to act. "In spite of their weakness the group remains active"

Exact synonyms: Impuissance, Weakness
Generic synonyms: Impotence, Impotency, Powerlessness
Derivative terms: Helpless, Impuissant, Weak

2. Noun. The state of needing help from something.
Generic synonyms: Dependance, Dependence, Dependency

3. Noun. A feeling of being unable to manage.
Generic synonyms: Depression
Derivative terms: Helpless, Helpless

Definition of Helplessness

1. Noun. The state of being helpless. ¹

2. Noun. A feeling of inadequacy or impotence. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Helplessness

1. [n -ES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Helplessness

helpfulness
helpfulnesses
helping
helping-verb
helping behaviour
helping hand
helping hands
helping out
helping profession
helping verb
helping verbs
helpingly
helpings
helpless
helplessly
helplessness (current term)
helplessnesses
helpline
helplines
helply
helpmate
helpmates
helpmeet
helpmeets
helps
helps out
helpsheet
helpsheets
helpsome
helpt

Literary usage of Helplessness

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals by Charles Darwin (1913)
"helplessness or impotence —Patience—Obstinacy—Shrugging the shoulders common to most of the races of man—Signs of affirmation and negation. ..."

2. History of the Formation of the Constitution of the United States of America by George Bancroft (1884)
"CONGRESS CONFESSES ITS helplessness. ... CONFESSES ITS helplessness. 1783-1786. " AT length," so wrote Washington to Lafayette in 1783, " I am become a ..."

3. The Cambridge Modern History by Adolphus William Ward, George Walter Prothero (1907)
"The helplessness and disorder of the Empire were as great as ever. A trouble that had long been imminent now came to a head. The Swiss Confederacy, though ..."

4. History of New England by John Gorham Palfrey, Francis Winthrop Palfrey (1890)
"The Governor was made painfully conscious of his helplessness. For two successive days he summoned meetings of the Council, but no quorum met. ..."

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