Definition

1. Verb:
   • To surround (a place) with armed forces in order to capture it or force surrender: This is the original military meaning, describing the act of encircling a fortified location to cut off supplies and compel those inside to give up.
   • To crowd around (someone) in a persistent, harassing, or overwhelming way: This figurative meaning describes being surrounded by people, often making insistent demands, requests, or asking many questions.
   • To overwhelm or harass (someone) with many problems, worries, or demands: This figurative meaning describes a state of being under intense, persistent pressure from non-physical sources like difficulties or responsibilities.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (Military):

  • The ancient army decided to besiege the castle rather than attack it directly.
  • For months, the general besieged the enemy capital, waiting for their supplies to run out.

• Verb (Crowding around):

  • As soon as the celebrity left the car, fans besieged her for autographs.
  • Reporters besieged the politician with questions about the scandal.

• Verb (Overwhelm with problems):

  • After the announcement, the company's headquarters was besieged with angry phone calls.
  • She felt besieged by deadlines and conflicting obligations.

Advanced Usage

• "to be besieged by/with": This is a very common passive construction used for both literal and figurative meanings.
  • The small town was besieged by protesters. (Literal/Crowd)
  • He was besieged with doubts about his decision. (Figurative/Problems)

Variants and Related Words

• Siege (n): The act or period of besieging a place.
  • The city endured a long siege before falling.
• Besieger (n): A person or force that carries out a siege.
  • The besiegers built trenches around the fortress.

Synonyms

• Surround: To be all around someone or something. (More general, less aggressive connotation)
• Encircle: To form a circle around. (Often used in military contexts)
• Harass: To torment or pester persistently. (Focuses on the annoying or troubling aspect)
• Overwhelm: To bury or drown beneath a huge mass. (Emphasizes the sheer volume)

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Besiege" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meanings are typically expressed through the simple verb or the passive form "be besieged by/with.")

Related Idioms

• Lay siege to: This is a synonymous phrase for the military action of besieging.
  • The rebels laid siege to the government compound.
• Under siege: Describing a state of being besieged, either literally or figuratively.
  • The embassy was under siege from demonstrators. (Literal)
  • The CEO is under siege from shareholders demanding change. (Figurative)

Verb

1. harass, as with questions or requests
   • The press photographers besieged the movie star
2. cause to feel distressed or worried
   • She was besieged by so many problems that she got discouraged
3. surround so as to force to give up
   • The Turks besieged Vienna