impotent
Translation
powerless, ineffective, impotent
Examples
The government felt impotent to stop the protests.
The government felt impotent to stop the protests.
He felt impotent in the face of such a tragedy.
He felt impotent in the face of such a tragedy.
Grammar Patterns
to be/feel impotent ((to-inf)) to be powerless to do (sth.) He felt impotent to change the situation.
to be/feel impotent ((in the face of sth.)) to be powerless when confronted with (sth.) They were impotent in the face of the storm.
Similar Words
Synonyms: powerless, helpless, weak, ineffective; Antonyms: potent, powerful, effective
Etymology
From Latin 'impotens', from 'im-' (not) + 'potens' (powerful, potent).
Memory Tips
'im-' (not) + 'potent' (powerful) = not powerful.