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.
At stake is the survival of the Santa Monica Mountains’ isolated, beleaguered mountain lion population, which is listed as threatened.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
The fighting in Yemen has in recent weeks become the most active front of the wider regional conflict, which for months has seen violence repeatedly shift focus across the beleaguered Middle East.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
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
As he and his wife watched his beloved Ducks lose to a beleaguered Oklahoma State team, Woodin spotted a dead giveaway in Moore’s footwork.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
The beleaguered president decided not to run for a second term.
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
