as in to besiege
to surround (as a fortified place) with armed forces for the purpose of capturing or preventing commerce and communication
beleaguered the castle for months
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Recent Examples of beleaguer
But their chances have appeared to improve in recent weeks as the unpopular war with Iran and stubborn affordability issues have beleaguered GOP midterm ambitions.
—
Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 6 May 2026
The gig plays to her strengths, while her tenure as Kohl's CEO was rockier and beleaguered by activists.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, Midwestern states were beleaguered by strong winds, storms, reports of tornadoes and hail.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026
The agricultural economy, beleaguered by rising productions costs and low commodity prices, is expected to be facing losses for the fourth consecutive year in 2026.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beleaguer
Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 6 May 2026
The gig plays to her strengths, while her tenure as Kohl's CEO was rockier and beleaguered by activists.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, Midwestern states were beleaguered by strong winds, storms, reports of tornadoes and hail.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026
The agricultural economy, beleaguered by rising productions costs and low commodity prices, is expected to be facing losses for the fourth consecutive year in 2026.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beleaguer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beleaguer
besiege
Verb
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The mass shooting that claimed 49 lives and injured dozens of others—the deadliest hate crime targeting LGBTQ+ people in American history—still leaves a grievous mark, most especially in a city, state and nation besieged with new attacks on the gay community.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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In place of the ancient forest was a shorn land besieged by uncontrollable wildfires, prone to land-slides and erosion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beleaguer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beleaguer. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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