besieged

[ bih-seejd ]

adjective

1. (of a fortified place) under siege; surrounded by enemy forces and cut off from help or supplies:

   The security forces downplayed the situation, claiming that local authorities were still in full control of the besieged city.

2. surrounded by crowds:

   He was charged with inciting to "mass disturbance" the more than 1,000 people who congregated close to the besieged police station.

3. assailed or inundated with requests or demands:

   Apart from the hero, every man in this movie is a rustic bigot, and every woman a besieged housewife.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of besiege.

Other Words From

• un·be·sieged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of besieged¹

First recorded in 1425–75; besiege ( def ) + -ed ²( def ) for the adjective senses; besiege ( def ) + -ed ¹( def ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

I became excited about getting a job in education, but unfortunately I was not lucky at first—because I live in Gaza, that besieged area on which Israel has imposed many sanctions that have led to a reduction in job opportunities and an increase in the unemployment rate.

From Slate

But concerns have mounted over the safety of the thousands of Palestinian civilians who remain in besieged towns in north Gaza.

From BBC

Earlier this month, a UN-backed assessment said there was a strong likelihood that famine was imminent in the besieged areas of northern Gaza.

From BBC

In front of him was an impossible puzzle: a sprawling airport besieged by desperate people trying to flee and not enough troops to carry out an orderly end to America’s longest war.

From New York Times

While the threat of famine is greatest in besieged parts of the north where Israel is conducting a new, intense military offensive, in the south there are also major shortages of food, medicines and other goods.

From BBC

Related Words

• assailed
• attacked
• beleaguered
• blockaded
• surrounded