adjective
impotent
IM-puh-tunt/ˈɪmpətənt/
Lacking the capacity to perform a required action.
She feels impotent as she struggles to loosen the tightly sealed lid.
Etymology
The negative prefix turns being able or powerful into inability. First used in English for physical weakness, the adjective broadened to describe someone or something unable to accomplish anything.
In context
i felt impotent in my inability to tongue that to to speak that truth yeah
More examples
- Without enforcement powers, the committee is impotent to prevent further violations.
- He watches in impotent anger as the flood destroys his home.
- Some medications can make a man temporarily impotent.
Forms
impotent · more impotent · most impotent
impotence noun — Lack of power or ability to perform.
impotently adverb — In a powerless or ineffective manner.
Similar words
- powerless
- Emphasizes having no control or authority over a situation.
- ineffective
- Describes efforts that fail to produce the intended result.
- incapable
- Usually identifies a specific task someone cannot successfully perform.