lay siege to

VERB

attack

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ambush assail assault beat besiege blast bombard charge harm hit hurt infiltrate invade raid stab storm strike

STRONG

advance aggress bash bat bean beset biff boot bop brain bust clip clock club combat cook jump kick larrup molest mug overwhelm punch rush slog soak wallop whop

WEAK

boff chop down knock block off knock cold knock for a loop light into pounce upon set upon take the offensive turn on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist guard help leave alone lose protect retreat surrender

STRONG

decrease

WEAK

be lazy defend resist shelter shield slough off submit support sustain withstand

VERB

besiege

Synonyms

STRONGEST

beleaguer beset blockade encircle hem in trap

STRONG

assail attack confine congregate encompass environ invest

WEAK

come at from all sides shut in work on work over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

let go

WEAK

leave alone

VERB

surround

Synonyms

STRONGEST

besiege circle envelop hem in inundate ring

STRONG

beleaguer beset blockade border bound circumscribe circumvent compass confine edge enclave encompass environ fringe gird girdle invest limit loop margin outline rim round skirt verge

WEAK

box in close around close in close in on fence in go around shut in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

free

STRONG

allow center let go lose permit release

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They are now advancing on Timbuktu and seeking to lay siege to the capital of Bamako.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Sportsbooks FanDuel and DraftKings have seen prediction markets lay siege to their sports-betting duopoly.

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

Did you know that an integrated cavalry unit of Union-supporting Southerners helped Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman lay siege to Atlanta in the closing months of the Civil War?

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2023

Memories here are still fresh from the temporary occupation when Russian troops attempted to lay siege to the main city of Chernihiv.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2023

Until he looked down from his highest battlement and saw the ranks of Rand Allastair’s army of fell men and Accursed approaching to lay siege to his walls, he meant to enjoy life....

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner

lay siege to

Example Sentences

Related Words