stricken by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stricken by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a feeling of intense suffering or a strong emotion of distress. For example, "She was stricken by grief when she heard the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Others died years later, stricken by cancer.

The New Yorker

Mr. Zamora looked stricken by the memory.

The New York Times

She had been stricken by a massive stroke.

The New York Times

Still Jill kept going, though stricken by grief.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We are stricken by no plague of locusts.

The Guardian

Suddenly, they seem stricken by a crippling fear of success.

The New York Times - Sports

Because I was really, really stricken by the Polly Klaas case.

The New Yorker

Wild birds have caught the canary pox virus, and penguins have been stricken by avian malaria.

The Economist

It was until recently stricken by a surprising election defeat in 2004.

The Economist

Lawrence, stricken by tuberculosis, went to Barbados in 1751 for his health, taking George along.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Within weeks he was stricken by polio (some think caught at that camp).

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stricken by" to convey a sudden and impactful experience of suffering or distress. It's particularly effective when describing emotional or physical afflictions that have a profound effect on the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "stricken by" to describe minor inconveniences or slight discomfort. The phrase implies a significant degree of suffering or debilitation, and its misuse can dilute its impact and appear hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stricken by" functions as a past participle adjective followed by a preposition. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun has been severely affected or overwhelmed by something, typically negative. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase describing intense emotional or physical suffering.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stricken by" is a versatile and common expression used to describe a state of being severely affected or overwhelmed by something negative. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media", but also shows up in "Science" and "Encyclopedias". While "stricken by" effectively communicates intense suffering, it should be reserved for situations of significant impact, avoiding its misuse for minor inconveniences. Alternative phrases such as ""afflicted with"", ""overcome by"", and ""gripped by"" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

afflicted with

Indicates suffering from a disease or problem, similar to being "stricken by".

overcome by

Signifies being overpowered by a feeling or force, akin to being "stricken by" grief or fear.

gripped by

Implies being tightly held by a strong emotion or situation, resembling being "stricken by" panic.

overwhelmed by

Suggests being flooded with an intense feeling, similar to being "stricken by" sadness.

burdened with

Indicates carrying a heavy load, whether physical or emotional, analogous to being "stricken by" responsibility.

beset by

Implies being persistently troubled or attacked by something, similar to being "stricken by" problems.

plagued with

Suggests being continuously affected by something negative, like being "stricken by" doubt.

haunted by

Implies being constantly reminded of a past event or feeling, similar to being "stricken by" regret.

consumed by

Signifies being completely taken over by a feeling or thought, akin to being "stricken by" obsession.

beset with

Indicates being troubled persistently with issues, mirroring the sense of being "stricken by" difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "stricken by" in a sentence?

The phrase "stricken by" indicates being severely affected or overwhelmed. For instance, "The town was stricken by a sudden outbreak of the flu" or "She was stricken by grief after losing her best friend."

What are some alternatives to "stricken by"?

You can use alternatives such as "afflicted with", "overcome by", or "gripped by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "stricken from" instead of "stricken by"?

"Stricken from" and "stricken by" have different meanings. "Stricken from" means removed or deleted, while "stricken by" means severely affected or overwhelmed. Using them interchangeably would be incorrect.

What's the difference between "affected by" and "stricken by"?

"Affected by" is a general term for being influenced, while "stricken by" implies a severe and often sudden negative impact. For example, you might be "affected by" the weather, but "stricken by" a sudden illness.