beleaguer

American  

[bih-lee-ger] / bɪˈli gər /

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

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beleaguer British  

/ bɪˈliːɡə /

verb

1. to trouble persistently; harass

2. to lay siege to

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Other Word Forms

• beleaguerer noun

Etymology

Origin of beleaguer

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

Example Sentences

France began charging non-EU visitors to the Louvre Museum 45 percent more than Europeans on Wednesday, in a controversial bid to raise money for renovations at the beleaguered Paris landmark.

From Barron's

The country’s beleaguered currency, the rial, tipped into a new downward spiral the country had little ability to stop.

From The Wall Street Journal

When he was at home, Mr. Slaughter writes, Seward “was bored and beleaguered among family members.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Sudan's Prime Minister Kamil Idris told reporters on Sunday that the "government of hope" was officially back in Khartoum and would begin efforts to improve services for the city's beleaguered residents.

From BBC

The goal is to come out feeling steadier, more confident and maybe even a little smug—not beleaguered and hungry.

From Salon

Related Words

• annoy
• bedevil
• beset
• plague