beleaguered

adjective

be·​lea·​guered bi-ˈlē-gərd 

bē-

: suffering or being subjected to constant or repeated trouble or harassment

an economically beleaguered city

With its life-support system cut off, the beleaguered college has embarked on a tortuous campaign to keep going.

—Lucinda Harper

… as he evolved from conformist to opportunist to reformer to revolutionary to beleaguered leader.

—Philip Taubman

Examples of beleaguered in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a beleaguered lineup, the Padres could use an outfielder, a catcher and, regardless of position, left-handed hitting. — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 29 June 2026

The Mets’ shortstop, playing in only his third game back since returning from a calf strain, hit a game-tying, two-run triple off Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Alan Rangel in the sixth inning, breathing new life into the beleaguered team. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026

Rubio’s separate negotiations are designed to empower the beleaguered Lebanese government and provide Israel with enough assurance to withdraw. — Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026

To help beleaguered schools, libraries, municipalities and other taxing bodes cope, the county has set aside $300 million for no-interest bridge loans. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of beleaguer

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined above