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

Lines north of Preston and south of Carlisle were blocked as a result, leaving passengers stranded either side of the crash.

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Last week, Cyclone Montha triggered heavy rain and snowfall across Nepal, leaving trekkers and tourists stranded on popular Himalayan trekking routes.

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But then the water would rise, leaving them stranded.

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Neither side was able to score a run after the third inning, and both sides stranded multiple baserunners as the Dodgers held on for victory.

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In particular, Honnold -- who famously climbed El Capitan with no ropes -- pointed to "cuts to search and rescue," which could mean that climbers involved in accidents are left stranded.

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Related Words

• aground 
• ashore 
• grounded 
• helpless 
• wrecked