# cornered

/ˈkɔɹnɝd/ (US) · /kˈɔːnəd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cornered
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

feeling trapped in a place or a situation where you have no way to escape.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Commonly follows linking verbs such as 'feel', 'look', or 'seem'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.