The authorities seem powerless to stem the rising tide of violence

　　當(dāng)局似乎無(wú)力阻止愈演愈烈的暴力活動(dòng)。

　　Despite its lack of formal power the nobility was not powerless.

　　盡管沒(méi)有正式的權(quán)力，貴族階層并非沒(méi)有權(quán)勢(shì)。

　　If you don't have money, you're powerless.

　　如果你沒(méi)有錢(qián)，就寸步難行。

　　He was sympathetic, but powerless to help.

　　他表示同情，但愛(ài)莫能助。

　　They feel scared and powerless in conveyor-belt hospital wards.

　　在千篇一律的病房里，他們感到恐懼而又無(wú)能為力。