Definition

1. Verb:
   • To surround with armed forces in order to force surrender: To besiege a place, typically a city or fortress, by surrounding it with military forces to cut off supplies and compel those inside to give up.
   • To harass, pester, or trouble persistently: To cause persistent annoyance, pressure, or distress to someone.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (to besiege):

  • The enemy army moved to beleaguer the castle, cutting off all supply routes.
  • For months, the general's strategy was to beleaguer the capital until its defenders surrendered.

• Verb (to harass):

  • The paparazzi would constantly beleaguer the celebrity, asking intrusive questions.
  • He felt beleaguered by doubts and anxieties about the upcoming decision.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• Adjectival Form - "Beleaguered": This is the most common derived form. It functions as an adjective meaning "harassed, troubled, or besieged."

  • The beleaguered mayor faced criticism from all sides.
  • The beleaguered company struggled to stay afloat during the economic crisis.

• Figurative Use: Often used in non-military contexts to describe being under intense pressure from multiple problems or critics.

  • The beleaguered healthcare system is struggling with staff shortages and rising costs.

Variants and Related Words

• Besiege (verb): A close synonym for the military sense of "beleaguer."
• Harass (verb): A close synonym for the persistent annoyance sense.
• Badger (verb): To pester or annoy persistently.
• Hound (verb): To pursue relentlessly and harass.

Synonyms

• For "surround/besiege": Beset, blockade, encircle, lay siege to.
• For "harass": Pester, plague, torment, vex, bedevil.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "A beleaguered [person/group]": A standard phrase describing someone or something under severe and persistent pressure.
  • The beleaguered coach finally resigned after a string of losses.
  • The report focused on the plight of beleaguered farmers.

Verb

1. surround so as to force to give up
   • The Turks besieged Vienna
2. annoy persistently
   • The children teased the boy because of his stammer