The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word HAMSTRUNG
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
H
A
M
S
T
R
U
N
G
More clues leading to the result HAMSTRUNG
- Poor actors given boot finally and called “impaired”
- Powerless to get substandard player suspended
- Powerless, being suspended by radio operator
- Radio operator, suspended, will be frustrated
- Stopped and hovered, smart bombs inside
- Sailor disheartened in hard Korean group ditching leader is made powerless
- Suspended box trams, train movement crippled
- Disabled pigs grunt miserably
- Luvvie, attacked by bee crossing river, hobbled
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Powerless" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case powerless = hamstrung.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does HAMSTRUNG mean?
HAMSTRUNG verb- To lame or disable by cutting the tendons of the ham or knee; to hough.
- To cripple; to incapacitate; to disable.
- Restricted as if by being crippled with a hamstring.