# plagued

/ˈpɫeɪɡd/ (US) · /plˈeɪɡd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/plagued
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. constantly troubled

adjective · CEFR B2

suffering from constant problems, worries, or bad luck over a long time.

For teachers: relentlessly afflicted or beset by persistent problems, misfortunes, or negative conditions.

- The project was plagued by delays and technical problems from the very start.
- The region has been plagued by economic instability for decades, hindering any significant progress in infrastructure development.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'by' to indicate the source of the trouble.

Teaching tip: While the root refers to disease, in modern English this is most commonly used metaphorically for recurring logistical or social problems.

## Examples

- He has been plagued by back pain for years.
- The city's public transport system has been plagued by delays and technical failures all winter.
- Despite his professional success, the artist remained plagued by a profound sense of inadequacy that frequently stalled his creative output.

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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.