Plagued: meaning, definitions and examples

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plagued

 

[ pleɪgd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

suffering from

The term 'plagued' refers to being affected by a persistent or overwhelming issue, often causing distress or suffering. It can be used to describe situations where individuals or groups are troubled by various adversities, such as diseases, misfortunes, or complex problems. The word often conveys a sense of recurrent agony or a haunting burden that is difficult to escape. In literature, it is frequently used to convey the emotional or psychological struggles faced by characters amid challenging circumstances.

Synonyms

afflicted, harassed, tormented, troubled

Examples of usage

  • She was plagued by doubts about her future.
  • The city was plagued by a severe outbreak of the flu.
  • They felt plagued by financial problems for years.

Translations

Translations of the word "plagued" in other languages:

🇵🇹 afligido

🇮🇳 पीड़ित

🇩🇪 geplagt

🇮🇩 terpukul

🇺🇦 поражений

🇵🇱 dopadnięty

🇯🇵 悩まされた

🇫🇷 affligé

🇪🇸 afligido

🇹🇷 sıkıntı çeken

🇰🇷 괴롭힘을 당한

🇸🇦 مُعَذَّب

🇨🇿 trápený

🇸🇰 trápený

🇨🇳 受困的

🇸🇮 trpinčen

🇮🇸 plagaður

🇰🇿 зәбірленген

🇬🇪 წამებული

🇦🇿 bədbəxt

🇲🇽 afligido

Etymology

The word 'plagued' originates from the Old French term 'plaie' which means 'a wound' or 'a plague'. This was derived from the Latin word 'plaga', meaning 'a stroke' or 'a blow'. Historically, the term 'plague' became associated with severe diseases that caused widespread suffering, such as the Black Death in the 14th century, which significantly shaped its usage. Over time, the term evolved to express not only physical afflictions but also psychological and emotional burdens. The figurative use of 'plagued' allowed it to describe a variety of misfortunes, making it a powerful descriptor in both everyday language and literature.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,727, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.