Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Surrounded by hostile forces: Describes a place, especially a town, city, or fortress, that is encircled by an enemy army, preventing escape or the entry of supplies and aid.
   • Subjected to persistent pressure or harassment: Used metaphorically to describe a person, group, or institution that is overwhelmed by numerous demands, criticisms, or problems.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Literal - Military):

  • The besieged city held out for months before surrendering.
  • Supplies could not reach the besieged garrison.

• Adjective (Figurative):

  • The besieged CEO faced questions from angry shareholders.
  • The hospital was besieged by requests for help during the crisis.

Advanced Usage

• "To feel besieged": To feel overwhelmed, under attack, or pressured from all sides, often emotionally or professionally.
  • After the scandal broke, the politician felt completely besieged by the media.

Variants and Related Words

• Besiege (verb): To surround a place with armed forces in order to capture it or force surrender; to crowd around or harass persistently.

  • The army moved to besiege the castle.
  • Fans besieged the actor for autographs.

• Siege (noun): A military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, cutting off essential supplies, with the aim of compelling surrender.

  • The siege lasted for over a year.

Synonyms

• Surrounded: Enclosed on all sides.
• Encircled: Formed a circle around.
• Hemmed in: Confined or trapped.
• Under siege: The state of being besieged.

Related Phrases

• Lift a siege: To end a military siege.

  • The king sent an army to lift the siege of the fortress.

• Lay siege to: To begin a siege against a place.

  • The rebels laid siege to the capital.

Adjective

1. surrounded by hostile forces
   • the besieged town