siege mentality

noun

: a defensive or overly fearful attitude

Examples of siege mentality in a Sentence

Living in a high-crime area can create a siege mentality.

Recent Examples on the Web

Each was cast as the antagonist in the game that saw England’s exit, prompting invective from rival supporters on their return and a siege mentality in Manchester. — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026

But this siege mentality breeds suspicion of outsiders and a defensiveness toward the world. — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026

This siege mentality defines The Audacity. — Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2026

Incidents such as last month’s horrific Bondi Beach mass shooting targeting Australian Jews have further heightened a siege mentality. — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for siege mentality

• bisexuality
• collegiality
• conditionality
• congeniality
• conventionality
• conviviality
• dimensionality
• directionality
• emotionality
• essentiality
• eventuality
• grammaticality