helplessly

From helpless +‎ -ly.

• enPR: hĕlpʹləs-lē, IPA^(key): /ˈhɛlpləsli/

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helplessly (comparative more helplessly, superlative most helplessly)

1. Without protection or assistance.

   The fish flopped helplessly in the tiny remaining pool.

2. Without the ability to help oneself.

   The boy rolled on the floor laughing helplessly.

   • 1854, Thomas De Quincey, “On Murder, Considered as One of the Fine Arts. Postscript.”, in Miscellanies (De Quincey’s Works; IV), London: James Hogg & Sons, →OCLC, page 76:

     The whole covey of victims was thus netted; the household ruin was thus full and orbicular; and in that proportion the tendency of men and women, flutter as they might, would be helplessly and hopelessly to sink into the all-conquering hands of the mighty murderer.

3. Without the ability to react actively.

   The spectators gaped helplessly as the balloon approached the power lines.