Stranded: meaning, definitions and examples

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stranded

[ˈstrændɪd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

left without the means to move from somewhere.

Synonyms

castaway, marooned, shipwrecked.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
stranded	Used when someone or something is left in a difficult or helpless situation without a way to get out. Can be applied in various situations, not just maritime ones. After the car broke down, we were stranded on the highway for hours The hikers were stranded in the snowstorm with no help in sight
marooned	Used when someone is abandoned in an isolated place, often intentionally. It can have a slightly negative or dramatic connotation. The pirate was marooned on a deserted island as punishment for his betrayal Jill felt marooned in the unfamiliar city when she lost her phone
shipwrecked	Specifically refers to being in a ship that has been destroyed or sunk, leading to being stranded in the ocean or on an island. It is limited to maritime disasters. The survivors of the shipwrecked vessel had to find ways to signal for rescue He wrote a book about being shipwrecked and his fight for survival
castaway	Primarily used to describe someone who has survived a shipwreck and is left alone on an uninhabited island. It has a more specific maritime context. The movie showed the struggles of a castaway trying to survive on a deserted island The sailors became castaways after their ship was wrecked

Examples of usage

he was stranded in a foreign country without any money
the ship was stranded on a sandbar

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

feeling

not having a job; unemployed.

Synonyms

jobless, out of work, unemployed.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
stranded	Use when someone is stuck in a place without a way to leave. It often carries a sense of being abandoned or helpless. After the storm, many travelers were stranded at the airport Their boat was stranded on the deserted island
jobless	A straightforward way to say someone doesn't have a job. It doesn’t necessarily carry a negative emotion. He's been jobless for six months now The jobless rate has gone up this year
unemployed	A formal term usually seen in official contexts or statistics. It can sometimes carry a more serious or negative connotation. The government's new policy aims to help the unemployed He’s been unemployed for over a year
out of work	Commonly used in everyday speech to refer to someone who is temporarily not working. It might imply an ongoing search for a job. She’s been out of work since the company downsized After being out of work for a while, he finally found a new job

Examples of usage

many workers were left stranded due to the pandemic
she found herself stranded after the company downsized

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'stranded' comes from the Old English word 'strand', meaning 'shore' or 'beach'.
In the 19th century, to be 'stranded' often referred to boats that were left on the shore due to low tides.

Literature

Many classic adventure novels feature characters who are stranded, such as Robinson Crusoe, highlighting themes of survival and isolation.
In modern stories, movies like 'Cast Away' show the emotional struggles of being stranded, focusing on human resilience.

Science

Stranded molecules in biological contexts, like stranded DNA, can be important for studying genetic diseases.
Animals can become stranded due to environmental changes, leading to research on ecosystems and conservation efforts.

Pop Culture

The game 'Stranded Deep' focuses on survival after being stranded on a deserted island, engaging players with resource management.
Popular films often feature characters stranded on alien planets, intertwining themes of loneliness and exploration.

Psychology

Being stranded can lead to feelings of anxiety and helplessness, driving research into mental health impacts of isolation.
Survivors of being stranded often display resilience and adaptability, showcasing human capacity for overcoming difficult situations.

Translations

Translations of the word "stranded" in other languages:

🇵🇹 encalhado

🇮🇳 अकेला फँसा

🇩🇪 gestrandet

🇮🇩 terdampar

🇺🇦 застряглий

🇵🇱 uwięziony

🇯🇵 立ち往生した

🇫🇷 échoué

🇪🇸 varado

🇹🇷 mahsur kalmış

🇰🇷 고립된

🇸🇦 محاصر

🇨🇿 uvězněný

🇸🇰 uviaznutý

🇨🇳 搁浅

🇸🇮 nasedel

🇮🇸 strandaglópa

🇰🇿 қалдық

🇬🇪 გადასახლებული

🇦🇿 məskunlaşmış

🇲🇽 varado

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,469, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11466 purported
11467 diphtheria
11468 lottery
11469 stranded
11470 colouring
11471 corresponded
11472 raging
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