beleaguered

IPA/bɪˈliːɡəd/
KK[bɪlˈiɡɚd]IPA/bɪˈliːɡərd/

beleaguered — adjective

  • beleagueredpositive
  • more beleagueredcomparative
  • most beleagueredsuperlative

1. struggling under a heavy load of problems, criticism, or demands that come from

1.形容詞B2
釋義

struggling under a heavy load of problems, criticism, or demands that come from several directions at the same time

例句

Aarav felt beleaguered by the endless paperwork and impossible deadlines at work.

predicative: feel + beleaguered + by + [source of pressure]

The beleaguered principal had to answer angry questions from parents all week.

attributive: the beleaguered + [person in charge]

同義詞
  • besieged

    more vivid and dramatic; suggests being mobbed by problems

  • embattled

    implies the person or group is actively fighting back rather than merely enduring

  • hard-pressed

    less intense; simply struggling to cope without the sense of being attacked

反義詞
  • carefree

    without worries or responsibilities pressing in

文法句型

beleaguered + [noun] (attributive)

[be / feel / look] + beleaguered (predicative)

beleaguered by + [source of pressure]

用法筆記

Most frequent in written journalism about organisations, governments, or public figures facing sustained difficulty. Can be used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb such as 'feel,' 'look,' 'become'). The by-phrase that follows names the source of the pressure.

常見錯誤

❌I felt beleaguered with too much homework.
✅I felt overwhelmed with too much homework.
💡'beleaguered' describes a drawn-out state of pressure from many sources, not a temporary or routine burden.

2. completely closed in by enemy soldiers who are trying to force surrender by cutt

2.形容詞C1
釋義

completely closed in by enemy soldiers who are trying to force surrender by cutting off escape and supplies

例句

Eitan's battalion pushed through heavy fire to relieve the beleaguered outpost.

beleaguered + [military position] in battle narrative

The beleaguered castle had no food left after eight weeks of siege.

attributive: the beleaguered + [fortification]

同義詞
  • besieged

    almost identical in meaning; more common across both literal and figurative uses

  • encircled

    neutral military term for being surrounded, without the sense of a prolonged attack

  • blockaded

    focuses on the cutting off of supplies and communication rather than direct assault

反義詞
  • relieved

    describes a besieged force that has been freed by friendly troops arriving

文法句型

beleaguered + [fortress / city / garrison / troops]

用法筆記

Now mostly found in historical or literary writing about wars and sieges. For modern contexts, words like 'surrounded,' 'trapped,' or 'cut off' are more natural in everyday speech.

常見錯誤

❌Fans beleaguered the pop star outside the hotel.
✅Fans mobbed the pop star outside the hotel.
💡The literal military sense of 'beleaguered' implies a hostile, armed force trying to capture a position, not an excited crowd.