beleaguered

American  

[bih-lee-gerd] / bɪˈli gərd /

adjective

1. surrounded by military forces; besieged.

   The beleaguered city of Limerick, having stood to the last, finally capitulated to the forces of William of Orange.

2. beset, surrounded, or overburdened by troubles.

   Restoring our beleaguered oceans to health will require an emphasis on diversification and conservation, and more sensible fishing practices.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of beleaguer.

Etymology

Origin of beleaguered

beleaguer ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

The chief executive of South East Water has resigned, according to the beleaguered water company.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

Investors in Tokyo were also closely watching the yen after speculation of intervention by the Japanese government to prop up the beleaguered currency.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

In those movies, as an unsuspecting bride thrust into a life-or-death situation, she appealingly balanced a convincing physical performance with an understated comedic streak, her beleaguered character enduring one absurdity after another.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

He launched his campaign in the summer of 2025 with a viral ad that jolted life into a beleaguered coalition of exasperated liberals and lapsed progressives.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

He ground through twenty-four-hour endurance tests and “stamina runs,” in which contestants looped up and down local roads until their beleaguered automobiles exploded or shed their wheels—the last one rolling was the winner.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• ringed