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

The executive observed that, during the collapse of Bear Stearns in March 2008, regulators and executives had several nights and a weekend to organize a bailout and sale of the beleaguered bank.

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The threat Wilson poses could be an unexpected short-term catalyst for the beleaguered stock, Vasilescu said on Monday, upgrading Lululemon to Neutral from Underperform.

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It’s like a body-switching movie in which the formerly beleaguered have become the beloved—and vice versa.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The party has found one in the center-right Japan Innovation Party, offering relief for the beleaguered LDP, which has suffered a series of setbacks that cost it its majority in both houses of Parliament.

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Bolivia chooses between two pro-business candidates in presidential elections on Sunday, ending two decades of socialist rule that have left the beleaguered South American nation deep in economic crisis.

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Related Words

• annoy 
• bedevil 
• beset 
• plague