The journalist cornered the politician with pointed questions.

cornered 是动词 corner 的过去式。corner 本意是"角落"，作为动词时表示"把某人逼到角落"，引申为"使陷入困境、无路可逃"的意思。这里形容记者用尖锐问题让政客无法回避或逃脱回答。