cannot help
Unable to avoid
Cannot help indicates inability to prevent or resist something.
With a verb, it signals involuntary action: I cannot help laughing when he makes that face.
With a noun, it means powerlessness to change a situation: I cannot help it if they don't like me.
Often appears as can't help.
The construction suggests the action or feeling is beyond conscious control.
Impossible to withstand
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
- compelledMade to act
- urgeStrong inner drive
- impulseSudden urge to act
involuntary · uncontrollable · instinctive · automatic · reflexive · obsessive · addictive · habitual
Lacking power or efficacy
- incapableLacking requisite ability
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
- paralyzedUnable to move voluntarily
- hamstrungDisabled from acting effectively
unable · futile · useless · ineffectual · stuck · trapped · constrained · limited
Concern for others' distress
- empathySharing another's emotions
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- concernTroubled interest in something
- caringShowing kind concern
support · consolation · comfort · solace · kindness · tenderness · sensitivity · warmth
Impossible to prevent
- inevitableCertain to occur
- inescapableImpossible to avoid
- certainFree from doubt
- fatedDetermined by destiny
destined · predetermined · bound · doomed · guaranteed · assured · unpreventable · inexorable
Consent to receive
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
- acquiescenceUnresisting acceptance
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
- yieldingBending under pressure
concession · submission · fatalism · stoicism · passivity · detachment · letting go · giving up
irresistible
Impossible to withstand
impulse · involuntary · uncontrollable · instinctive · automatic · reflexive · obsessive · addictive · habitual · unconscious
impotent
Lacking power or efficacy
- incapableLacking requisite ability
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
- paralyzedUnable to move voluntarily
hamstrung · unable · futile · useless · ineffectual · stuck · trapped · constrained · limited · restricted
compassion
Concern for others' distress
- empathySharing another's emotions
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- concernTroubled interest in something
caring · support · consolation · comfort · solace · kindness · tenderness · sensitivity · warmth · regret
unavoidable
Impossible to prevent
- inevitableCertain to occur
- inescapableImpossible to avoid
- certainFree from doubt
fated · destined · predetermined · bound · doomed · guaranteed · assured · unpreventable · inexorable · unstoppable
acceptance
Consent to receive
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
- acquiescenceUnresisting acceptance
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
yielding · concession · submission · fatalism · stoicism · passivity · detachment · letting go · giving up · relinquishment
cannot helpdeliberately
Done with intention
intentionally · consciously · willfully · voluntarily · on purpose
can, cannot, help, helps, helped, helping, helper, helpers, helpful