Synonyms

beleaguer

American

[bih-lee-ger] / bɪˈli gər /

verb (used with object)

to surround with military forces.
to surround or beset, as with troubles.

Synonyms:

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

beleaguer British

/ bɪˈliːɡə /

verb

to trouble persistently; harass
to lay siege to

"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

Other Word Forms

beleaguerer noun

Etymology

Origin of beleaguer

First recorded in 1580–90; be- + leaguer ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The UN's beleaguered agency for Palestinian refugees said Wednesday that a "dire" financial crisis had this week forced it to fire hundreds of Gazan staff who had left the territory.

From Barron's

At best, the future looks increasingly complex for the beleaguered Caribbean island without Maduro at the helm in Caracas.

From BBC

Intel is an interesting pick, considering the concerns about the company’s beleaguered foundry business that proliferated at the start of last year.

From Barron's

But that was about as good as it got for the beleaguered 52-year-old as his troubled first season with Tottenham took another turn for the worse.

From Barron's

Strategic blunders are often costly, especially in today’s beleaguered market.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023