is under siege

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is under siege" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is being attacked, pressured, or overwhelmed, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The company is under siege from negative publicity following the scandal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The city is under siege.

The New York Times

Britain is under siege and slowly starving.

Independent

His industry, he said, is "under siege".

The New York Times

THE euro area is under siege.

The Economist

"The newspaper is under siege".

The New York Times

The statesman is under siege.

The New York Times

The city is under siege by prosperity.

The New York Times - Magazine

Today, that environment is under siege.

The Guardian

The Saudi regime is under siege.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ethanol is under siege from other quarters.

The New York Times

Yet this tradition is under siege.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is under siege" when you want to convey that something is not only facing pressure, but is also surrounded by challenges or threats, suggesting a prolonged and intense period of difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "is under siege" when a simpler term like "facing challenges" or "experiencing difficulties" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for situations that genuinely convey a sense of intense pressure and threat.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is under siege" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and the examples show its widespread use in describing entities facing intense pressure or attack.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is under siege" is a commonly used expression, particularly in news and media, to describe a state of being attacked, pressured, or overwhelmed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While acceptable in formal writing, it's best reserved for situations genuinely conveying intense pressure. Alternatives like "is being attacked" or "is facing an onslaught" may be used depending on the context. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact, so judicious use is recommended. The phrase functions as a predicate adjective, conveying crisis, threat, and sustained pressure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is being attacked

Focuses on the act of being attacked directly, removing the metaphorical sense of "siege".

is being pressured

Highlights the pressure being applied, rather than a direct attack.

is battling

Focuses on active resistance or combat against an opposing force.

is facing an onslaught

Emphasizes the intensity and force of the attack or pressure.

is fighting for survival

Emphasizes the struggle to continue existing in the face of adversity.

is in a crisis

Describes the situation as a critical state, not necessarily due to an external attack.

is in a state of emergency

Highlights the urgency and severity of the situation.

is facing challenges

Presents a milder form of difficulty, lacking the intensity of an attack.

is in a vulnerable position

Indicates weakness and susceptibility, but not necessarily an active attack.

is struggling

Describes a general difficulty without specifying the cause.

FAQs

What does "is under siege" mean?

The phrase "is under siege" means that something is being seriously attacked or threatened, either literally or metaphorically. It implies a prolonged period of pressure and difficulty.

What can I say instead of "is under siege"?

You can use alternatives like "is being attacked", "is being pressured", or "is facing an onslaught" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "is under siege" in formal writing?

Yes, but use it judiciously. While "is under siege" is acceptable in formal writing, ensure that it accurately reflects the intensity of the situation. Overusing it can weaken its impact.

How to use "is under siege" in a sentence?

You can use "is under siege" to describe a variety of situations where something is facing intense and sustained pressure. For example, "The city is under siege" or "The company's reputation is under siege after the scandal".