besiege

Besiege, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Besieged; p. pr. & vb. n. Besieging.]

Etymology: [OE. bisegen; pref. be- + segen to siege. See Siege.]

To beset or surround with armed forces, for the purpose of compelling to surrender; to lay siege to; to beleaguer; to beset. Till Paris was besieged, famished, and lost. Shak.

Syn. -- To environ; hem in; invest; encompass.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for besiege; he lists it under attack.

Where he writes about it:

To besiege and beleaguer are the acts of armies. — from attack

Synonyms

attack assail assault beleaguer beset charge combat encounter fall upon invade set upon storm

Antonyms

aid befriend cover defend protect resist shelter shield support sustain uphold withstand

etymology Webster’s online