noun
impotence
IHM-puh-tuhns
Impotence (noun) means a complete lack of power or ability to act or influence events. Example: “He felt a deep sense of impotence watching the disaster unfold on the news.”
noun
1
A complete lack of power or ability to act or influence events.
"He felt a deep sense of impotence watching the disaster unfold on the news."
"The committee's impotence became obvious when none of its recommendations were followed."
2
The medical inability to achieve or maintain an erection.
"The medication was found to sometimes cause impotence as a side effect."
How to use impotence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing powerless to act or, in a medical sense, unable to get or keep an erection.
When to use it
The medical sense is the more common everyday usage in modern English; the "powerlessness" sense is more formal or literary.
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Word forms
- Plural
- impotences
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He felt a deep sense of _____ watching the disaster unfold on the news.
Etymology
From Middle French impotence, from Latin impotentia, "lack of power."
Synonyms
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impotency
powerlessness
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for impotence
See all rhymes for impotence →Frequently asked questions
What does “impotence” mean?
The word “impotence” means a complete lack of power or ability to act or influence events. In plain terms, being powerless to act or, in a medical sense, unable to get or keep an erection.
How do you pronounce “impotence”?
“Impotence” is pronounced IHM-puh-tuhns (/ˈɪmpətəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “impotence” in a sentence?
Here is “impotence” used in a sentence: “He felt a deep sense of impotence watching the disaster unfold on the news.”
What part of speech is “impotence”?
“Impotence” is a noun.
Where does the word “impotence” come from?
The word “impotence” comes from Latin. From Middle French impotence, from Latin impotentia, "lack of power.".
How many meanings does “impotence” have?
“Impotence” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a complete lack of power or ability to act or influence events.
