1.
Someone who is powerless is unable to control or influence events.
If you don't have money, you're powerless.
ADJ
• powerlessness
If we can't bring our problems under control, feelings of powerlessness and despair often ensue.
= impotence, helplessness
N-UNCOUNT
2.
If you are powerless to do something, you are completely unable to do it.
People are being murdered every day and I am powerless to stop it...
= unable
? able
ADJ: ADJ to-inf