French word

impuissant

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃pɥisɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectivepowerless

Example

Il se sent impuissant face à la situation.

He feels powerless in the face of the situation.

Illustration for impuissant (powerless)

More examples

Le gouvernement est impuissant face à la crise.

The government is powerless in the face of the crisis.

Core concept

A hand pressed against a locked door, unable to move it or change what lies beyond.

Common phrases

  • se sentir impuissant

    feel powerless

  • être impuissant face à

    be powerless in the face of ___

Similar words

incapable: Not having the ability or skills required to carry something out.
faible: Too weak in strength or influence to make a sufficient difference.
démuni: Lacking support or means for dealing with the situation alone.

Definition in French

Qualifie l'absence de pouvoir ou de capacité d'agir face à une situation donnée.

Word origin

The word combines the negative prefix im- with puissant, which comes from Old French puisant and ultimately from Latin potent-, meaning powerful.

Usage tips

  • In the common pattern se sentir impuissant face à, face à introduces the situation that seems impossible to influence.

Other meanings

  • impotentadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word