1
as in to attack
to surround (as a fortified place) with armed forces for the purpose of capturing or preventing commerce and communication
armies besieged the city for six months before it finally surrendered
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to plague
to cause persistent suffering to
a family besieged by worries about the faltering economy
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3
as in to beg
to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner
bereaved parents continued to besiege the president with pleas to end the war
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Recent Examples of besiege
And while politicians know that there are costs to besieging an independent central bank – financial markets may react negatively or inflation may flare up – short-term control of a powerful policy tool can prove irresistible.
—
Ana Carolina Garriga, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
The attack prompted many Americans to vent their dislike of the nation’s for-profit health system, and made Mr. Mangione a visible foil for an administration that says radicals are besieging the nation.
—Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
If so, the president should look at the House members and senators seated before him tomorrow night who were besieged by constituents back home livid about the DOGE slashings.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2025
At the start of the invasion, Russian troops besieged the city, forcing residents to endure harsh winter conditions without electricity or water under constant shelling from Russian artillery, missiles and drones.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for besiege
Ana Carolina Garriga, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
The attack prompted many Americans to vent their dislike of the nation’s for-profit health system, and made Mr. Mangione a visible foil for an administration that says radicals are besieging the nation.
—Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
If so, the president should look at the House members and senators seated before him tomorrow night who were besieged by constituents back home livid about the DOGE slashings.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2025
At the start of the invasion, Russian troops besieged the city, forcing residents to endure harsh winter conditions without electricity or water under constant shelling from Russian artillery, missiles and drones.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for besiege
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besiege
Verb
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For example, if China can pin down the United States in the Taiwan Strait, Russia and Iran may seize the moment to attack their neighbors.—
Mark Melton,
National Review,
23 May 2025
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There are several leaf spotting diseases that can attack hydrangeas.—
Janet B. Carson,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
Verb
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In a region plagued by foreign interference and democratic decline, Traoré's message resonates with disillusioned youth.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
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To top it off, an air traffic control meltdown plagued Newark Liberty International Airport for weeks after staffing shortages and technology outages caused hours-long delays.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Verb
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While Kardashian was begging for her life, the men rummaged through her belongings and stole roughly millions of dollars worth of jewelry from her.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
13 May 2025
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This rule of course begs two questions: where to build and how to pay for it?—
Lucius Riccio,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2025
Verb
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In World War II, Russia relied on material support from the Allies and was largely blockaded within its Baltic Sea and Black Sea ports.—
Colin Flint,
The Conversation,
25 Mar. 2025
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Israel also has blockaded Gaza for the past six weeks, again barring the entry of food and other goods.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Recent research suggests that the global area afflicted by lethal heat waves would triple in size in coming decades even if global climate agreements — which President Trump exited on his first day in office — were kept.—
Saul Elbein,
The Hill,
14 May 2025
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An estimated 75,000 people are afflicted with this disease in our country.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
8 May 2025
Verb
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Other residents have petitioned against the ordinance because of the financial implications of not being able to rent their properties.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
21 May 2025
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More than 50 asset managers have petitioned the SEC for exemptive relief in order to offer an ETF share class of an existing mutual fund.—
Jesse Pound,
CNBC,
20 May 2025
Verb
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By Tuesday evening, the fire crew successfully encircled the entire perimeter of the fire in control lines.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
21 May 2025
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Howell got an earful before finally convincing a man to leave a campground almost encircled by the South Toe River.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
ProPublica,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Some of the journalists who were terminated on Thursday were from countries with repressive governments that persecute journalists for independent reporting, Mr. Abramowitz said in the email to employees on Thursday.—
Minho Kim,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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According to tradition, Peter traveled to Rome to spread the Christian message and was martyred there during the reign of the Emperor Nero, around 64 A.D., as Christians were being persecuted.—
Vanessa Gera,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Besiege.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besiege. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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