Definition

Affected by something very serious or painful, such as illness or misfortune.

Example

The stricken family received support from the community after their loss.

Conversation

Did you hear about the family that was stricken by that terrible storm?

Yes, I read about it; it's so sad what happened to them.

I can't believe how many people were affected and stricken by the loss.

It really shows how quickly life can change for anyone.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To be affected by something, often in a negative way, such as being hit or impacted by an event or feeling.

Example

The town was stricken by a severe storm that caused widespread damage.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you hear about the storm that stricken our town last night?

Yeah, I saw the news! It looked really bad.

I didn't expect it to be so severe; many trees were down.

Root Explanation

Stricken is derived from the past participle of the verb 'strike', which comes from Old English 'strican' (meaning to stroke or touch). The suffix '-en' indicates a past participle form. Thus, 'stricken' refers to something that has been touched or affected, often in a negative or impactful way.

Memory Tip

Think of something that has been 'touched' or 'affected' in a significant way — that's what 'stricken' means.

Visually Confused Words