Word
cornered
Phoneticscor·nered, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɔɹnɝd/
UK/kˈɔːnəd/
Definition
adj. feeling trapped in a place or a situation where you have no way to escape.
adj. forced into a position or situation from which there is no escape. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel' or 'look'.
Examples
“The fox felt cornered when it saw the fence.”
“The politician felt cornered by the reporter's sharp questions and struggled to find a way to change the subject.”
“When the company's primary investor withdrew support, the CEO felt cornered, realizing that filing for bankruptcy was now the only viable path forward.”
Examples
simple
“The fox felt cornered when it saw the fence.”
contextual
“The politician felt cornered by the reporter's sharp questions and struggled to find a way to change the subject.”
complex
“When the company's primary investor withdrew support, the CEO felt cornered, realizing that filing for bankruptcy was now the only viable path forward.”
Usage
Commonly follows linking verbs such as 'feel', 'look', or 'seem'.
Real-World Examples
“The unharmed horse was eventually cornered by police, before being lassoed.” “Vietnam has cornered the market on robusta since emerging from its war in the 1970s.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/cornered