besieged

American  

[bih-seejd] / bɪˈsidʒd /

adjective

1. (of a fortified place) under siege; surrounded by enemy forces and cut off from help or supplies.

   The security forces downplayed the situation, claiming that local authorities were still in full control of the besieged city.

2. surrounded by crowds.

   He was charged with inciting to "mass disturbance" the more than 1,000 people who congregated close to the besieged police station.

3. assailed or inundated with requests or demands.

   Apart from the hero, every man in this movie is a rustic bigot, and every woman a besieged housewife.

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• unbesieged adjective

Etymology

Origin of besieged

First recorded in 1425–75; besiege ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; besiege ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

The besieged enclave has neither water nor electricity.

From The Wall Street Journal

A source in the Sudanese army told AFP that "this progress will open up the road between El-Obeid and Dilling" -- a city in South Kordofan state controlled by the army and besieged by the RSF.

From Barron's

KYIV, Ukraine—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a dramatic statement of defiance on Friday, releasing a video filmed on the edge of a besieged city whose capture Russia touted almost a month ago.

From The Wall Street Journal

Steven Skybell, magnificent in the role of the besieged patriarch, led a superb cast that brought a new understanding to an old chestnut through the force of Yiddish language and culture.

From Los Angeles Times

His unit has been fighting in the besieged city of Kostyantynivka.

From BBC

Related Words

• assailed
• attacked
• beleaguered
• blockaded
• surrounded