toothless
7
5.5
- adjective
- /ˈtuːθləs/
:
ineficaz
- The court reasoned that the defendant's restrictive reading of FACA would render the statute a "toothless tiger" when used in developing a record under the Endangered Species Act.
And he commissioned the review that was completely toothless.
- And he commissioned the review that was completely toothless.
- I have led a toothless life, a toothless life.
Examples
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There have been reforms since Abramoff went to prison, but they're toothless, he told the crowd.
Blog text (8) -
The 1996 law would prove as toothless as previous laws.
Academic text (2000) -
The Palestinian legislature was toothless and needed real power that could only come from a new constitution.
Blog text (18) -
And while it was a step in the right direction, the initiative was nonbinding and toothless.
Blog text (33) -
The United Nations often remains toothless without aggressive American-driven initiatives.
Academic text (1992) -
It's remarkable how toothless our regulatory agencies are when you look closely at it, and that's how the industry wants it.
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The new regulations were so toothless that they barely affected any companies in the industry.
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Many people argue that the proposals are toothless and will not lead to any real change.
-
After the reform, the committee became toothless, unable to enforce any of its decisions.
Synonyms
138
3.6
Unable to do or stop something because you have no control
25
6.8
Unable to act or change a situation
Not strong or effective enough to make an impression
Antonyms
Compounds
How Effective
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Toothless can also mean 'without power' for a rule or group and uses the same parts tooth and -less ('without'). Imagine a toothless animal that cannot bite, so it cannot hurt or make people obey, which is why a 'toothless' law or committee is weak.