marooned

[muh-roond]

adjective

1. abandoned on a desolate island or coast by way of punishment or the like, as was done by buccaneers.

   In exchange for food supplies left for them on the island, the marooned mutineers handed over the ship's instruments and charts.

2. placed or left in an isolated and often dangerous position.

   Getting flood relief to the marooned villages has proved difficult.

3. abandoned or stuck somewhere without resources.

   When flights were grounded after 9/11, Canadians offered their hospitality and their homes to put up marooned Americans.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of maroon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of marooned¹

maroon ² + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

The drama: Our captain’s previous ship was marooned under suspicious circumstances.

From Los Angeles Times

He adds, later: “We all felt like we were marooned on a desert island.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship was to depart from Northern Ireland last May, but issues with its rudder stocks meant its guests were marooned in the city for more than four months.

From BBC

The staging could be its downfall, though, with Gabry marooned behind his DJ decks while the singers, who for some reason wish to remain anonymous, obscure their faces with masks.

From BBC

Lindsey’s parents fly to the Chinese city and fearfully track their eldest’s recovery, leaving their younger daughter, Grace, who was adopted from China, marooned at summer camp with no information.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ashore 
• stranded 
• wrecked