beleaguer

[ bih-lee-ger ]

/ bɪˈli gər /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: beleaguer / beleaguered on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to surround with military forces.

to surround or beset, as with troubles.

OTHER WORDS FOR beleaguer

2 harass, pester, badger, bother, vex, annoy, plague, hector.

See synonyms for beleaguer on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of beleaguer

First recorded in 1580–90; be- + leaguer¹

OTHER WORDS FROM beleaguer

be·lea·guer·er, noun

Words nearby beleaguer

belaying pin, bel canto, belch, beld, beldam, beleaguer, beleaguered, belection, Belém, belemnite, belemnoid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use beleaguer in a sentence

They weren’t so rosy, however, about how the program’s been rolled out and unintended consequences it has had on the already beleaguered private childcare industry.
Morning Report: After 40 Years, Community Schools Return to Chula Vista|Voice of San Diego|October 13, 2022|Voice of San Diego
Not only is it beginning to push the already beleaguered childcare industry to a breaking point, but some feel its rollout at San Diego Unified hasn’t been ideal.
How Universal Transitional Kindergarten Is Stressing Our Childcare System|Jakob McWhinney|October 12, 2022|Voice of San Diego
It comes obviously from a sense of people’s own histories of being beleaguered and having their dignity removed.
Andrew Sullivan doesn’t care what you think|Chris Johnson|September 22, 2021|Washington Blade
A lack of chips, computer not tortilla, is wreaking havoc on the already beleaguered restaurant and bar industry, the latest victim of a pandemic-induced worldwide shortage that has disrupted the manufacturing of smartphones, cars and more.
No chips, no tips: How the computer chip shortage threatens thousands of restaurant service jobs|Laura Reiley|June 11, 2021|Washington Post

IRS staffingTaxpayers will face more frustration because the IRS workforce is beleaguered.
Tax season 2021: A tornado is coming|Michelle Singletary|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
And yet I cannot think that any Scottish or French rovers could land in such force as to beleaguer the fortalice.
The White Company|Arthur Conan Doyle
Somehow that seemed to make her matter less, and Dodo had not at present made any determined effort to beleaguer her.
Dodo's Daughter|E. F. Benson
For Edward took his army to beleaguer Calais, and after blockading it for nearly a year forced it to surrender.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 5|Various
The bold beleaguer'd post the hero gains, And the hard siege with various fate sustains.
The Columbiad|Joel Barlow
In his tragedy of Ezelino, after the tyrant's downfall, a captain is sent to beleaguer Treviso, and reduce Ezelino's garrison.
The Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the first|Count Carlo Gozzi

British Dictionary definitions for beleaguer

beleaguer

/ (bɪˈliːɡə) /

verb (tr)

to trouble persistently; harass

to lay siege to

Word Origin for beleaguer

C16: from be- + leaguer 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

beleaguer

OTHER WORDS FOR beleaguer

Origin of beleaguer

OTHER WORDS FROM beleaguer

Words nearby beleaguer

Words related to beleaguer

How to use beleaguer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for beleaguer

Word Origin for beleaguer