beleaguer

[bih-lee-ger]

verb (used with object)

1. to surround with military forces.

2. to surround or beset, as with troubles.

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

beleaguer

/ bɪˈliːɡə /

verb

1. to trouble persistently; harass

2. to lay siege to

Other Word Forms

• beleaguerer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of beleaguer¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of beleaguer¹

C16: from _be- + _leaguer ¹

Example Sentences

What most generously believed was a blip, based on the compelling evidence of Slot's first title-winning campaign last season, is now a full-blown crisis for Liverpool and their beleaguered head coach.

Read more on BBC

The beleaguered housing market is gaining some momentum heading into the end of the year, with home sales rising for a second straight month.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Small-cap stocks have lagged behind their larger counterparts for more than 20 years, leaving beleaguered small-cap investors to wonder if smaller stocks will finally start to outperform the large-caps.

Read more on MarketWatch

Shares in the beleaguered U.K. advertising company are being lifted by some vague bid speculation arising from weekend reports, Interactive Investor’s Richard Hunter says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Berkshire left its positions unchanged in Amazon.com and UnitedHealth, the beleaguered health insurer.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• annoy 
• bedevil 
• beset 
• plague