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Cornered: meaning, definitions and examples

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cornered

 

[ ˈkɔrnərd ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

psychological state

The term 'cornered' describes a state in which someone feels trapped or without options. It often refers to a person who is in a difficult situation where they cannot escape or avoid facing a problem. This can be both a physical and emotional state, causing feelings of panic or anxiety. Being cornered might lead to desperate actions as individuals seek a way out of their predicament.

Synonyms

hemmed in, isolated, stuck, trapped

Examples of usage

  • She felt cornered during the intense interrogation.
  • The company found itself cornered by the new regulations.
  • He was cornered by his own lies.
  • The rabbit was cornered by the approaching predator.

Translations

Translations of the word "cornered" in other languages:

🇵🇹 encurralado

🇮🇳 कोने में धकेलना

🇩🇪 in die Enge treiben

🇮🇩 terjepit

🇺🇦 загнаний в кут

🇵🇱 zagoniony w róg

🇯🇵 追い詰められた

🇫🇷 coincé

🇪🇸 acornerado

🇹🇷 köşeye sıkışmış

🇰🇷 모서리에 몰린

🇸🇦 محاصر

🇨🇿 zahnaný do rohu

🇸🇰 zahnaný do rohu

🇨🇳 被逼入绝境

🇸🇮 ujet v kot

🇮🇸 horn í

🇰🇿 бұрышқа тығылу

🇬🇪 კუთხეში მოქცეული

🇦🇿 küncə sıxışdırılmış

🇲🇽 acornerado

Word origin

The word 'cornered' originated from the noun 'corner', which comes from the Old French 'corniere', a derivative of 'corne', meaning 'horn'. In medieval times, a corner referred to the angle or intersection where two lines meet, much like the tips of a horn. The verb form 'to corner', meaning to trap or confine someone, emerged in English during the early 19th century, reflecting the metaphorical sense of confining someone to a limited area. Over time, 'cornered' evolved to describe not just physical entrapment but also psychological states, conveying feelings of helplessness or lack of options. The imagery of being pushed into a corner, both literally and figuratively, has made this term resonate in various contexts, from animal behavior to personal dilemmas.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,768, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.