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beleaguerto harass or persistently trouble someone; to surround with military forces in order to capture

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to harass or persistently trouble someone; to surround with military forces in order to capture

Pronunciation (IPA): /bɪˈliːɡər/

Example Sentences

  • The poor student was beleaguered by homework from five different teachers.
  • The beleaguered CEO faced another round of angry shareholders.
  • My phone has been beleaguering me with notifications all morning.

beleaguer

VERB

[/bɪˈliːɡər/]

to harass or persistently trouble someone; to surround with military forces in order to capture

Deadlines and demands beleaguer the young architect at her cluttered desk.
💡 Concept

Deadlines and demands beleaguer the young architect at her cluttered desk.

Be league-her! The whole sports league surrounds and harasses her relentlessly!
🧠 Mnemonic

Be league-her! The whole sports league surrounds and harasses her relentlessly!

Though beleaguered with meager supplies, eager allies charge forward!
🎵 Rhyme

Though beleaguered with meager supplies, eager allies charge forward!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/bɪˈliːɡər/
🇬🇧 UK/bɪˈliːɡə/

🌳Etymology

Prefixbe--
Rootleaguer

Origin

From Dutch 'belegeren,' meaning to besiege or surround. The word combines the Dutch prefix 'be-' (to cause) with 'leger' (camp), originally referring to surrounding a fortified position with military forces.

Breakdown

be- (cause to) + leaguer (from Dutch 'leger' meaning camp/siege) = beleaguer (to surround or harass persistently)

🎵Rhyme

eagermeager
eager
meager

🔗Collocations

beleaguered city
beleaguered government
beleaguered by criticism
beleaguered company
beleaguered with problems

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The poor student was beleaguered by homework from five different teachers.

The beleaguered CEO faced another round of angry shareholders.

😄 Fun example

My phone has been beleaguering me with notifications all morning.

The medieval castle was beleaguered for months before it finally fell.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

harasstormentplaguebesiegepersecute

Antonyms

protectdefendsupport

Related

siegeblockadeharassmentpersecution

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