Entry Word: besiege

Function: verb

Meaning: to surround (as a fortified place) with armed forces for the purpose of capturing or preventing commerce and communication <the army besieged the fort for six months before it finally surrendered>

Synonyms beleaguer, blockade, invest

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

Phrases lay siege to

Near Antonyms emancipate, free, liberate, release, rescue