1
as in encircles
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
2
as in persecutes
to cause persistent suffering to
a family besieged by worries about the faltering economy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in begs
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besieges
Verb
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Many travelers choose to explore the area via the Ring of Kerry, the scenic drive that encircles the peninsula.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026 -
The tubing with inline emitters, shown at bottom, encircles a citrus.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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China, which jails human rights activists in Hong Kong, persecutes Uyghurs, has killed hundreds of thousands of Tibetans and has committed genocide against the Falun Gong, is on the UN Human Rights Council.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
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In Russia, the civilian repressive apparatus persecutes the military, which leaps at every chance for revenge.—
Stephen Kotkin,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
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However, that’s not the case for supporting categories, which begs the question — why?—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
13 Aug. 2025
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His preseason is, more than likely, done which begs the question.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Vitello said the agency tracks every time officers use force as well as any time someone attacks its officers.—
Rebecca Santana,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Aug. 2025
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As the Xenomorph is about to kill him, Wendy attacks the beast with a hook.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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No, what plagues the Padres is so much deeper.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
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Carney said antisemitism plagues Europe, Australia and the United States.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, back home, his community waits for news – and prays for his safety.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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The family prays with Ali before a meal, with a seat at the table left empty.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Verb
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If Beijing quarantines or blockades Taiwan, for example, the island’s leaders would face a narrow political window in which to define the crisis and coordinate a timely response, before messaging from partisan media takes over.—
LEV NACHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Aug. 2025
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Road blockades from his supporters are now in their fourth week, as Morales is demanding he be allowed to run as a presidential candidate for next year's elections.—
Russell Contreras,
Axios,
5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease caused by a virus that primarily and most severely afflicts children.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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Consider osteoarthritis, which afflicts roughly 33 million Americans by gradually wearing down cartilage in the joints.—
Bryan T. Kelly,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Besieges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besieges. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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