Cornered

/ˈkɔːrnərd/

Meaning & Definition

verb

Past tense of corner; to trap someone or something in a corner.

The predator cornered its prey, leaving it no escape.

To put someone in a difficult position where they have no way to escape or evade.

During the debate, the candidate was cornered by tough questions about his policies.

To confine or restrict someone or something to a particular area.

The negotiations cornered the team into accepting unfavorable terms.

adjective

Describing a state of being trapped or unable to escape.

Feeling cornered, she struggled to find a way to express her true feelings.

Used to describe a situation where someone has limited options available.

He found himself in a cornered position after making such a bold statement.

The word 'cornered' derives from 'corner', which comes from the Latin 'cornu' meaning 'horn', referring to the angular shape.

cornered animal:

An animal that has been trapped or is in a position where it feels threatened and cannot escape.

cornered the market:

To dominate the supply of a particular good or service, limiting competition.

In a tough spot

After missing the deadline, she felt like she was really cornered.

Stuck

I’m cornered with these responsibilities and can’t take on any more work.