beleaguered
Americanadjective
-
surrounded by military forces; besieged.
The beleaguered city of Limerick, having stood to the last, finally capitulated to the forces of William of Orange.
-
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.
verb
Etymology
Origin of beleaguered
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.
Integrated oil giant BP has lagged its closest rivals over the last three to five years, but now one leading Wall Street firm says it’s time to buy the beleaguered company.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
So you suspect the beleaguered visitors will have been a little relieved to see him substituted late on after he had a hand in two of Leeds' goals in this impressive 4-1 win.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
With the show’s beleaguered Season 5 set to premiere on Thursday, a crucial question has emerged: Can it still feel like an entertaining watch after the events of this year?
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
Tyson Foods is planning on shuttering a major beef processing plant and selling another, the latest moves by the meatpacking giant to pull back from the beleaguered beef business.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
Out from the beleaguered hills knights of Gondor, Riders of Rohan, Dúnedain of the North, close-serried companies, drove against their wavering foes, piercing the press with the thrust of bitter spears.
From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
