Vocabulary Spotlight
Besiege
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To surround a place or person aggressively, typically with armed forces, in order to capture it or force surrender; or to overwhelm someone with requests or pressures.
“The journalists besieged the celebrity with questions as she left the event.”
Pronunciation
[bih-seej]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Encircle
Attack
Bombard
Overwhelm
Antonyms
Protect
Help
Release
Liberate
Related Words
Enclose
Pressure
Word Origin
“Besiege” originates from Old French “siegier,” meaning “to sit down” or “surround in siege.” It refers to surrounding a place or person to enforce control.
Word Family
Verb: Besiege – To surround or overwhelm.
Noun: Siege – A military operation where a location is surrounded to force surrender.
Adjective: Besieged – Being surrounded or overwhelmed.
Mnemonics
Think “be-siege” – to “be” in a siege or under a state of continuous pressure or attack.
Industry-specific Usage
Military
In military contexts, “besiege” refers to surrounding a place with armed forces to cut off supplies and force surrender.
Media
In the media industry, a public figure might be besieged by journalists eager for a story.
Psychology
In psychology, feeling besieged can describe someone under constant pressure or overwhelmed by demands.
In Context
“Besiege” is commonly used to describe being surrounded or overwhelmed by a force or pressure, whether literally by armed forces or figuratively by questions or stress.