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Beleaguering: meaning, definitions and examples

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beleaguering

 

[ bɪˈliːɡərɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

military action

To beleaguer means to lay siege to a place, typically a fortified one. This involves surrounding the location in order to cut off supplies and reinforcements, effectively forcing the occupants into a position of surrender or desperation. beleaguering can also refer to subjecting someone to constant trouble or harassment. It underscores a feeling of being under persistent pressure or difficulty.

Synonyms

besiege, harass, oppress, surround, trouble

Examples of usage

  • The army began beleaguering the fortress at dawn.
  • She felt beleaguered by the constant demands of her job.
  • The strategically positioned troops were beleaguering the enemy's stronghold.
  • Before the negotiations, the negotiators were beleaguering the other party with questions.

Translations

Translations of the word "beleaguering" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cercar

🇮🇳 घेरना

🇩🇪 belagern

🇮🇩 menghimpit

🇺🇦 обложення

🇵🇱 otaczać

🇯🇵 包囲する

🇫🇷 encercler

🇪🇸 asediar

🇹🇷 kuşatmak

🇰🇷 포위하다

🇸🇦 تحاصر

🇨🇿 obléhat

🇸🇰 obliehať

🇨🇳 围攻

🇸🇮 oblegati

🇮🇸 umgirt

🇰🇿 қоршау

🇬🇪 დაახვიე

🇦🇿 dövrə almaq

🇲🇽 asediar

Word origin

The word 'beleaguer' has its roots in the Dutch language, deriving from 'belegeren', which itself comes from 'leger' meaning 'camp' or 'army'. The term was first documented in the early 17th century, originally used to describe military tactics of surrounding an enemy. Over time, its use expanded beyond military contexts to describe any situation in which someone is besieged by difficulties or troubles. The evolution of the term reflects a broader application of the idea of being encircled or pressured, now commonly used in various contexts in modern English. Its rich history captures the various elements of siege warfare and the struggles inherent in facing continuous challenges.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,749, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.