toothless

adjective
tooth·​less | \ ˈtüth-ləs How to pronounce toothless (audio) \

Definition of toothless

1 : having no teeth
2a : lacking in sharpness or bite spoke in toothless generalities— Arthur Hepner
b : lacking in means of enforcement or coercion : ineffectual

Examples of toothless in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However misdirected the current ire, the multilateral system for restraining currency manipulation is indeed toothless. The Economist, "America considers retaliating against currency manipulation," 27 July 2019 The third in line for the throne flashes a big (somewhat toothless) smile and freely laughs in the grass in the images, taken by his mother Kate Middleton, showing us a fun-loving side of the pint-sized prince. Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Prince George Is Apparently a "Jolly Little Person" and We Couldn't Agree More," 25 July 2019 The stock price rose despite news that the FTC had started a new investigation of the company related to antitrust, presumably because recent history suggests to investors that such investigations are essentially toothless. Casey Newton, The Verge, "It’s time to regulate tech platforms with laws, not fines," 30 July 2019 Suarez’s 1976 cult classic Yesterday's Guys Used No Arsenic, name-checked once or twice, and stripped of its misogyny and most of its 1970s political bite — this Weasel is relatively toothless. Jonathan Holland, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Weasel’s Tale' ('El Cuento de las Comadrejas'): Film Review," 23 July 2019 Their toothless mouths telescope out and vacuum up anything from worms to mussels. Fox News, "Sturgeon, America's forgotten dinosaurs, are showing signs of life," 10 July 2019 Many of the buildings became roofless husks, toothless mouths, ruins. Jacqueline Detwiler, Popular Mechanics, "The Airplanes That Rescue Ebola Patients," 5 July 2019 While welcome, both of these efforts are largely toothless. James P. Sutton, National Review, "YIMBYism Goes National," 1 July 2019 Pangolins are toothless and use a stickytongue— the giant’s stretches nearly two feet—to feast on termites. Paul Hilton, National Geographic, "Poaching is sending the shy, elusive pangolin to its doom," 17 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'toothless.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of toothless

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for toothless

toothless

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of toothless

: having or showing no teeth
: not effective or powerful

toothless

adjective
tooth·​less | \ ˈtüth-ləs How to pronounce toothless (audio) \

Medical Definition of toothless

: having no teeth