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
Ruling an isolated, ruined, and besieged Gaza Strip will not get Hamas closer to this objective—but building up a strong political presence in the West Bank could, and accepting the latest proposal could free Hamas to do this.
—
Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
Israel tried to take over Gaza City before in this war, besieging it and launching raids in its streets, but tens of thousands of people remained.
—Aya Batrawy, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
Landslide in western Sudan kills at least 1,000 A landslide in western Sudan killed at least 1,000 people, intensifying hardship in a country besieged by years of civil war.
—Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
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, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for besiege
Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
Israel tried to take over Gaza City before in this war, besieging it and launching raids in its streets, but tens of thousands of people remained.
—Aya Batrawy, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
Landslide in western Sudan kills at least 1,000 A landslide in western Sudan killed at least 1,000 people, intensifying hardship in a country besieged by years of civil war.
—Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
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, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for besiege
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besiege
Verb
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And if Klopp felt the benefits of turning throw-ins into choreographed events, complete with long build-ups, would be outweighed in Liverpool’s case by a loss of attacking impetus, is there not something to be said for that?—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Officers found people trying to attack police cruisers with fireworks, cones, poles and other items.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The extravaganza was the first in years to enjoy the viewership on both TV and streaming that people come to expect of the event after a fallow period during which NBC was plagued by Asia time-slot challenges and the coronavirus pandemic, among other factors.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Oct. 2025
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When an unexpected event takes him back to his hometown, he is reunited with his mother and old friends but also confronted by the corruption that plagues his country, sparking a political awakening.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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All of which begs the question, can—and should—Europe use the once-in-a-generation opportunity presented by decarbonization to reboot its own renewables supply chain, creating green jobs and sustainable wealth for the future?—
Andrew Saunders,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
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Ever since Long and Tate starred in Theodore Witcher’s debut, Love Jones, fans of the cult classic have been begging for a sequel.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Britain was France’s most persistent opponent and was determined to control the seas, especially in the face of Napoleon’s efforts to blockade the country.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
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Israel has blockaded the water around Gaza, preventing boats and ships from delivering humanitarian aid.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Lakers were down LeBron James, afflicted by nerve pain.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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Bicycles ignore the real tangible problems that afflict us.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Through an extensive effort from McReynolds, who traveled to the nation’s capital to petition legislators, as well as endorsements from a Congress member, two senators and Camp Pendleton’s Brig.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Oct. 2025
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In 1977, consumer groups petitioned federal regulators to ban the marketing of sugary foods to children, but industry lobbying halted those efforts.—
Alice Callahan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This remote site, encircled by an impressive wall spanning nearly 600 meters, can be viewed without the crowds found at more popular sites.—
Jen Richt,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
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The vents encircling the stand’s rounded top handle cooling.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In Nazi Germany, transgender people were persecuted, barred from public life.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
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Blasphemy accusations have been used repeatedly to persecute Christians and other religious minorities in the country.—
Sean Nelson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Besiege.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besiege. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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