besiege

besiege (bɪˈsiːdʒ)

—vb
1.	to surround (a fortified area, esp a city) with military forces to bring about its surrender
2.	to crowd round; hem in
3.	to overwhelm, as with requests or queries

be'sieger

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

besiege

c.1300, from be- + siege (q.v.).

Example sentences

The revelry is soon interrupted when deadly tiger sharks besiege the waters.

Doctors say worried patients hearing about the ailment are starting to besiege them.

Despite this, protests and legal challenges besiege energy development decisions, delaying or derailing production.

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Related Words

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Matching Quote

"Long before your child sets foot in his dorm, you'll begin the transition to college-style parent. It's a transition fraught with misgivings and exuberance, with self-doubt and bursts of confidence, with joyful letting go and tearful hanging on. And in case you think these refer only to your child's feelings, they don't. These [emotions] besiege just about every parent along about second semester of junior year in high school. That's when the reality sets in that your child—not someone else's this time—will be going off to college."

-Norman Giddan