English pronunciation · Words Starting with P
Powerless Pronunciation
Powerless is pronounced POW-er-luhs, IPA /ˈpaʊɝləs/.
POW-er-luhs
US /ˈpaʊɝləs/ · UK /ˈpaʊələs/
Syllables: POW · er · luhs (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
adjective: Unable to act or to change what is happening.
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Powerless in a Sentence
- The council is powerless to stop the sale.
- She felt powerless watching the water rise.
- Without funding the committee is powerless.
Common Mispronunciations of Powerless
Not POH-er-luhs
The ow says the vowel of cow, so the word opens with the sound of pow. An oh vowel gives you something closer to poorer.
Not pow-er-LES
The -less ending never takes a beat in English. It reduces to luhs, as in useless and homeless.
Tip: Say power, then tuck a quiet luhs on the end.
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