helpless

• Décrit une personne ou un animal qui est incapable de se défendre ou d'agir sans l'aide d'autrui.

Describes a person or animal that is unable to defend themselves or act without assistance.

1. Unable to help oneselfB1formal

   Lacking the ability or strength to take care of oneself or act independently.

   incapable de se prendre en charge

   • The baby bird was helpless on the ground.
   • After the accident, he felt completely helpless.
   • She was helpless without her glasses.

   Synonymesdefenselessdependentimpotentincapablepowerlessvulnerableweak

   Antonymescapableindependentresourcefulself-sufficient

2. Powerless or ineffectiveB1formal

   Unable to do anything to improve a situation or prevent something from happening.

   Impuissant

   • They were helpless against the storm's fury.
   • He felt helpless watching his friend struggle.
   • The government seemed helpless to stop the crisis.

   Synonymesdefenselessimpotentincapableineffectivepowerlessuselessvulnerableweak

   Antonymescapableeffectivepowerfulresourcefulstrong