Added 10 October 2026 helplessness /ˈhɛlplɪsnɪs/ noun Categories: Describing WordsFeelingsUncommon Words In Latin: inopia Wiktionary noun ! Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about helplessness at Wordnik → Where our words come from → Powerlessness revealed by an inability to act. in spite of their weakness the group remains active The state of needing help from something. A feeling of being unable to manage. Origin From helpless + -ness. From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA) Related Words: impuissanceweaknesspowerlesspowerlessnessimpotenceineffectivenessdefencelessnessineptitudeinadequacyincompetenceincapacityimpotent Back to today's word