beleaguered

adjective be·lea·guered \ bi-ˈlē-gərd , bē- \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of beleaguered

: 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

Recent Examples of beleaguered from the Web

Kutz touted the raid as a win for the beleaguered Fourth District, which encompasses the southeast quadrant of the city and is the the city's busiest police district.

— adam ferrise, cleveland.com, "Sophisticated pot operation busted in Cleveland nets some 300 pounds of weed, 250 plants," 13 Apr. 2018
His words were well-received — no surprise, given the common feeling among hunters of being misunderstood, if not, beleaguered, by those who would further regulate, restrict or even ban their outdoor activities.

— kevin riordan, Philly.com, "Bear, boar, pickerel and politics on N.J. 'Wild Game Night' menu | Kevin Riordan," 10 Apr. 2018
Three and a half years after the last Gaza war, when 2,300 Palestinians and 74 Israelis were killed, the beleaguered coastal strip was erupting again.

— The Economist, "The Palestinians in Gaza are once more bidding to burst out," 5 Apr. 2018
There is also a beleaguered Assyrian community in Iraq, and a smaller population in Turkey.

— sarah el deeb, The Christian Science Monitor, "Assyrians in Syria celebrate traditions despite dangers," 3 Apr. 2018
There is also a beleaguered Assyrian community in Iraq, and a smaller population in Turkey.

— sarah el deeb, Fox News, "Syria's tiny Assyrian community celebrates its survival," 2 Apr. 2018
Time Sears shares slid on Friday after its credit rating was downgraded for the second time in seven days, following moves by the beleaguered retailer to restructure its significant debt.

— charisse jones, USA TODAY, "Sears shares plunge after its credit rating drops," 26 Jan. 2018
The film — which Warners bought from the beleaguered Weinstein Co. and producer StudioCanal — again centers on the plucky Peruvian bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) as he and the Brown family team to unmask the thief.

— gregg kilday, The Hollywood Reporter, "Box Office: 'Jumanji' Reigns Over MLK Weekend With $35.4 Million," 15 Jan. 2018
The ruling but beleaguered African National Congress, which has ruled South Africa since Nelson Mandela won the historic 1994 election that overturned racist all-white rule, paid tribute to Madikizela-Mandela.

— NBC News, "South African anti-apartheid stalwart Winnie Mandela dies at 81," 2 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'beleaguered.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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