haltlos
unmoored
Without firm support or inner stability; a person appears uncertain and directionless.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Verlust ihrer Arbeit fühlte sie sich völlig haltlos.
After losing her job, she felt completely unmoored.
haltlos
unmoored / unrestrained / unfounded
haltlos – haltloser – am haltlosesten
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
haltlos
unrestrained
Without moderation or control; very intense, uninhibited, or unchecked.
EXAMPLE
Er brach in haltloses Weinen aus.
He burst into uncontrollable sobs.
haltlos
unfounded
Without sufficient basis or evidence; unsubstantiated and therefore not credible.
EXAMPLE
Die haltlosen Vorwürfe gegen den Arzt wurden zurückgewiesen.
The unfounded accusations against the doctor were dismissed.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry haltlos, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | haltlos |
|---|---|
| comparative | haltloser |
| superlative | am haltlosesten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to haltlos.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to haltlos.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to haltlos.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Haltlos' is made up of 'Halt' (support) and 'los' (without), and literally means 'without support'. Depending on the context, the missing support can refer to a person, behavior, or statement.
EXAMPLE
Nach der plötzlichen Trennung wirkte er völlig haltlos.
After the sudden breakup, he seemed completely unmoored.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of lacking inner stability, 'haltlos' frequently occurs with verbs such as 'sich fühlen' (to feel), 'wirken' (to seem), or 'zurückbleiben' (to be left behind). It usually describes a person or their emotional state.
EXAMPLE
Ohne die Unterstützung ihrer Familie fühlte sie sich haltlos.
Without her family's support, she felt unmoored.
Strong emotions
When describing uninhibited emotions, 'haltlos' is often used with verbs and nouns related to crying or laughing. Typical collocations include 'haltlos weinen' (to cry uncontrollably), 'haltlos lachen' (to laugh uncontrollably), and 'in haltloses Weinen ausbrechen' (to burst into uncontrollable sobs).
EXAMPLE
Nach dieser Nachricht musste sie haltlos weinen.
After hearing this news, she had to cry uncontrollably.
Typical collocations
For unsubstantiated statements, 'haltlos' is especially often used with words such as 'Vorwurf' (accusation), 'Behauptung' (claim), 'Anschuldigung' (allegation), or 'Gerücht' (rumor). In this usage, the adjective refers to the lack of factual evidence.
EXAMPLE
Die Zeitung veröffentlichte eine haltlose Behauptung über den Schauspieler.
The newspaper published an unfounded claim about the actor.
In real life
Loading video examples...