stranded

¹

[stran-did]

adjective

1. left helpless or without transport.

   Officials said many people remained stranded even though floodwaters were receding.

   Synonyms: abandoned, left in the lurch, forsaken, deserted

stranded

²

[stran-did]

adjective

1. composed of a specified number or kind of strands (usually used in combination).

   a five-stranded rope.

Other Word Forms

• strandedness noun
• unstranded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stranded¹

First recorded in 1700–10 in its literal sense “run or driven ashore,” and in its figurative sense in 1850–55; strand ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Origin of stranded²

First recorded in 1805–15; strand ² + -ed ³

Example Sentences

He said he had planned to continue his journey - with hopes of riding through Africa next, but was now stranded and left only with the clothes on his back.

From BBC

He glossed over criticisms that pre-deployed fire engines were inadequate, evacuation alerts were delayed and elderly and disabled residents were left stranded.

From Los Angeles Times

The animals were seen stranded on the beach front at Kirkcaldy promenade as well as on a nearby rocky section of the coastline on Monday.

From BBC

Black film scout Striker takes an Antarctic cruise that winds up with passengers stranded on an island following a kayaking expedition.

From Los Angeles Times

He said he had previously planned to continue his journey with hopes of riding through Africa next, but was now stranded and left only with the clothes on his back.

From BBC

Related Words

• aground 
• ashore 
• grounded 
• helpless 
• wrecked