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impuissant

powerless

adjective ahn-pwee-SAHN Rare

Also means

impotent

Usage Note

Impuissant means unable to act or prevent something — se sentir impuissant ('to feel helpless'). The feminine form is impuissante. In medical contexts it specifically refers to male impotence; learners should be aware of this double register when choosing the word.

Examples

"Il se sentait impuissant face au désastre."

Natural Translation

He felt powerless in the face of the disaster.

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