Siege: meaning, definitions and examples

A duplicate of the first entry as the word was accidentally repeated in the list.

This word is used when forces prevent goods or people from entering or leaving a particular area, often in naval contexts. It can also be used in economic scenarios.

• The navy set up a blockade to stop ships from delivering supplies to the enemy
• During the economic dispute, one country implemented a blockade against another

This term is very similar to 'siege' but is rarely used. It can be used in historical or literary contexts to describe the same situation as a siege.

• The besiegement of the city lasted for months with no end in sight

This term describes the act of surrounding something completely, often in military situations but can also be used more broadly.

• The army's encirclement of the town left the inhabitants with no escape route
• The protesters aimed for the encirclement of the government building

A prolonged military assault in which armed forces surround a place to cut off supplies and force surrender.

• During the medieval period, the castle endured a brutal siege that lasted for months.
• The siege of the city left the inhabitants in desperate conditions.

A deadlock where neither side can make progress or win; commonly used in chess or general discussions.

• The negotiations reached a stalemate; neither side was willing to compromise.
• The chess match ended in a stalemate after both players ran out of moves.

A tense confrontation where neither party is willing to back down, often with potential for conflict.

• The two armed groups faced each other in a standoff that lasted for hours.
• The political standoff between the two countries escalated, with neither willing to concede.

Already covered. This word refers to the prolonged military operation to capture a place.

Use when indicating the act of surrounding a place with armed forces to capture it. It is typically more active and dynamic in description compared to 'siege'.

• The army decided to besiege the city in order to force its surrender
• The rebels managed to besiege the military base

Use when referring to the act of preventing goods, people, or information from entering or leaving a place, typically by sea but can also be on land. Often less about physical presence and more about preventing movement.

• The naval blockade prevented any ships from supplying the island
• The country's economy suffered due to the trade blockade

Use when describing the act of surrounding someone or something completely, not necessarily in a military context. More neutral in tone and can also be used in everyday situations.

• The police managed to encircle the suspects
• The patio was encircled by a beautiful garden