besieged

past tense of besiege
1
as in blockaded
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of besieged Tony season in New York is a veritable marathon for theater-folk, who are besieged by invites to countless classy events in succession. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 June 2026 Some time later, however, King Ben-hadad of Aram mustered his entire army and besieged Samaria. Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 6 June 2026 In the 41st millennium, the Imperium of Man is besieged by extraterrestrial forces of all sorts and even darker threats, but humanity's defenders are brutal and relentless, too. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 2 June 2026 VidCon, the annual online video tech convention that rolls around at the end of June, will be besieged by agents and producers seeking the next great YouTube auteur. Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 2 June 2026 Bay Area content creator Kane Parsons pushes back on conventional storytelling, and his hypnotic approach results in one of 2026’s most exhilarating debuts, a existential head trip that GoPros us into a human subconscious besieged by misshapen memories that trap and hold you hostage. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 May 2026 Over the years, we were constantly besieged with inquiries. Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026 His most recent drama, Evil Does Not Exist, examined the natural world as besieged by modern industry. David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026 The Liberty sought a repeat victory in 2025 but was besieged by injuries and ultimately lost in the playoffs to the Mercury; Jones, the 2024 WNBA Finals MVP, injured her ankle and missed numerous games, while guard/forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton suffered a knee injury. Yohana Desta, Vanity Fair, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besieged
Verb
  • Gang federations such as the G9, for example, has blockaded access to ports and restricted access to gasoline and diesel supplies, while other groups, including the 5 Segonn gang, have periodically blocked access to the private Port Lafito.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
  • For more than a week, the country’s teacher’s union has blockaded roads and toppled World Cup statues in an annual push to win better working conditions.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • The new officers will take their leadership positions amid strength in Tyson Foods’ chicken and prepared foods segments, while the beef segment has been plagued by multi-million dollar operating losses.
    Dylan Sherman, Arkansas Online, 8 June 2026
  • In Seasons 1-4, that vicar is Sidney Chambers (James Norton), a jazz enthusiast plagued by memories of WWII who offers unsolicited insights to gruff and initially ungrateful Det.
    Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • Paramount has petitioned the FCC to sign off on the foreign investment, as any foreign ownership stake above 25% requires agency approval.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 June 2026
  • In 2024, Roan petitioned to change his surname to honor both his parents.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Three people were killed and 20 more people were attacked by bears across at least nine prefectures between April and June 2, according to public broadcaster NHK.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
  • During the Gaza war, the Houthis attacked commercial shipping in the Red Sea — including ships with no link to Israel — to pressure Israel into lifting its blockade on the enclave.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • Raspberries are also afflicted with several viruses that can cause plants to decline and ruin the fruit.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
  • Losses from cattle afflicted by the parasite could run into the billions of dollars, with larger effects across the American economy, according to USDA estimates.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • The kids had practically begged him to do it.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026
  • Louis begged Lestat to turn a dying, human Claudia into a vampire, and the two then adopted her as a sort of daughter.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • This spring, graduates are leaving their respective alma maters and entering a job market that is beleaguered with uncertainty.
    Adam Harris, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • The Lieser family of Jewish industrialists was persecuted by the Nazis, including being imprisoned, and lost almost all their possessions to Nazi seizure.
    Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 5 June 2026
  • Family members and friends were persecuted, arrested, and killed.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Besieged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besieged. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.

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