besiege

Verb

besiege (third-person singular simple present besieges, present participle besieging, simple past and past participle besieged)

1. (transitive) To beset or surround with armed forces for the purpose of compelling to surrender, to lay siege to, beleaguer.
2. (figuratively, transitive) To beleaguer, to vex, to lay siege to, to beset.
   • When it arrived, the train was headed by a "K" class 4-6-0 wood-burning locomotive, and a water-tank wagon next to the tender was immediately besieged by women and girls, clad in their picturesque national costume, all with empty kerosene tins for water, a scene which was re-enacted at each stop...1943 November and December, G. T. Porter, “The Lines Behind the Lines in Burma”, in Railway Magazine, page 325
   • They should have inflicted a much heavier loss on their besieged opponents, the highlight being a late goal for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins on debut after he came on as a substitute.2021 March 25, Phil McNulty, “England 5-0 San Marino”, in BBC Sport
3. (transitive) To assail or ply, as with requests or demands.
   • The box office was besieged by fans wanting tickets.