Word
saddled
Phoneticssad·dled, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsædəɫd/
UK/sˈædəld/
Definition
v. to force someone to take on a difficult or unpleasant task that they did not ask for. It can also mean to put a saddle on an animal like a horse.
v. to impose an unwanted or burdensome responsibility on someone; to equip an animal with a saddle. Often used in the passive voice to describe a person's situation.
Examples
“I am saddled with a lot of debt.”
“The manager saddled the new intern with the most difficult project to see if she could handle the pressure.”
“After the merger, the department was saddled with outdated equipment that made it difficult to compete with more modern rivals in the industry.”
Examples
simple
“I am saddled with a lot of debt.”
contextual
“The manager saddled the new intern with the most difficult project to see if she could handle the pressure.”
complex
“After the merger, the department was saddled with outdated equipment that made it difficult to compete with more modern rivals in the industry.”
Real-World Examples
“Meg’s iconoclastic music career and drumming skills are finally receiving their due, in no small part because younger fans and musicians aren’t saddled by the same sexist cultural baggage.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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
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