cast adrift

verb

cast adrift; casting adrift; casts adrift

1

: to cause (a boat) to float on the water without being tied to anything or controlled by anyone

—often used as (be) cast adrift

a small lifeboat was cast adrift in the open sea

2

: to cause (someone) to float on the water in a boat that is not tied to anything or controlled by anyone

—often used as (be) cast adrift

They were cast adrift in a small, leaky boat.

—often used figuratively

I was cast adrift in a sea of confusion.

Examples of cast adrift in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The novel follows the life of Dylan, the daughter of a researcher, cast adrift on an earth that has been depopulated by war and environmental collapse. — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 18 June 2026

Now, during his Philadelphia homecoming, Castellanos has again been cast adrift. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 3 June 2026

These evocative, volcanic islands, cast adrift off the northeast coast of Sicily, remain salted, fresh, and gloriously disheveled. — Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026

Yes, Oregon State’s 10-7 victory over Washington State was the hardest of hard watches, 60 minutes of offensive offense and depleted rosters from programs that were cast adrift in the realignment seas. — Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025

Rhymes for cast adrift

• airlift
• facelift
• festschrift
• forklift
• gearshift
• makeshift
• redshift
• sealift
• snowdrift
• spendthrift
• clift
• drift