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

An example he cited was Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory beleaguered by a temperamental power grid and excluded from congressional and presidential elections.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The president, played by a breathy, beleaguered Idris Elba and known only by his call sign, “Icon,” is of indeterminate party and ideology.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026

But investors have no shortage of things going on to make them feel nervous, like markdowns or losses on loans at other credit funds, especially in the beleaguered software sector.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

The beleaguered peso has gained 5% against the dollar this year while Milei’s government widened the trading bands and added reserves.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

Anya kept her beleaguered sigh to herself, and the two girls followed Dvorah back inside.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack

Related Words

• ringed