helplessly
adv/ˈhɛlpləsli/
Etymology From helpless + -ly.
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.
- 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.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:
3
Without the ability to react actively.
- The spectators gaped helplessly as the balloon approached the power lines.