besiege

be·siege

transitive verb \bi-ˈsēj, bē-\

: to surround a city, building, etc., with soldiers and try to take control of it

: to gather around (someone) in a way that is aggressive, annoying, etc.

: to overwhelm (someone) with too many questions or requests for things

be·sieged be·sieg·ing

Full Definition of BESIEGE

1

:  to surround with armed forces

2

a :  to press with requests :  importune

b :  to cause worry or distress to :  beset <doubts besieged him>

— be·sieg·er noun

Examples of BESIEGE

1. The army besieged the castle.
2. Customers have besieged the company with questions.

First Known Use of BESIEGE

14th century

Related to BESIEGE

Synonyms

beleaguer, blockade, invest, leaguer [archaic], lay siege to

Related Words

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

Near Antonyms

emancipate, free, liberate, release, rescue

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical