beleaguer

be·lea·guer

verb \bi-ˈlē-gər, bē-\

be·lea·gueredbe·lea·guer·ing\-g(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of BELEAGUER

transitive verb

1

: besiege

2

: trouble, harass <beleaguered parents> <an economically beleaguered city>

— be·lea·guer·ment \-mənt\ noun

Examples of BELEAGUER

1. the lack of funds that beleaguers schools
2. <beleaguered the castle for months>

Origin of BELEAGUER

Dutch belegeren, from be- (akin to Old English be-) + leger camp; akin to Old High German legar bed — more at lair

First Known Use: 1587

Related to BELEAGUER

Synonyms: besiege, blockade, invest, leaguer [archaic]

Related Words: barricade, block, cut off, dam, encircle; assail, assault, attack, beset; confine, insulate, isolate, quarantine

Near Antonyms: emancipate, free, liberate, release, rescue

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Rhymes with BELEAGUER

big leaguer, bush leaguer, intriguer