be ‧ siege /bɪˈsiːdʒ/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1 . to surround a city or castle with military force until the people inside let you take control ⇨ siege :
In April 655, Osman’s palace was besieged by rebels.
2 . [usually passive] if people, worries, thoughts etc besiege you, you are surrounded by them:
Miller was besieged by press photographers.
3 . be besieged with letters/demands/requests etc to receive a very large number of letters, requests etc SYN be inundated
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THESAURUS
■ to attack a place
▪ attack to use weapons to try to damage or take control of a place:
The village was attacked by enemy warplanes.
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We will attack at dawn.
▪ invade to enter a country and try to get control of it using force:
The Romans invaded Britain 2,000 years ago.
▪ storm to suddenly attack a city or building that is well defended by getting inside it and taking control:
Elite troops stormed the building and rescued the hostages.
▪ besiege /bɪˈsiːdʒ/ to surround a city or building with soldiers in order to stop the people inside from getting out or from receiving supplies:
In April 655, Osman’s palace was besieged by rebels.