adj
impotent
IHM-puh-tuhnt
adj
1
Unable to take effective action; powerless.
"The referee stood impotent as the crowd surged onto the pitch."
"The council's impotent response to the flooding frustrated residents."
2
Unable to achieve or maintain an erection.
"Certain health conditions can leave a man impotent."
How to Use Impotent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLacking the power or ability to do something — either in general, or specifically in a sexual/medical sense.
Common pairings
impotent rage
impotent fury
feel impotent
Word Forms
more impotent comparative, impotents plural, most impotent superlative
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The referee stood _____ as the crowd surged onto the pitch.
Etymology
From Old French impotent, from Latin impotens, from in- ("not") + potens ("powerful").