siege

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "siege" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a military operation in which forces surround a place to cut off supplies or to refer to a prolonged period of difficulty or distress. Example: "The city was under siege for several months, leading to severe shortages of food and medical supplies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He suggested that the Muslim communities he knew felt "under siege" – spied on, interrogated, routinely asked to "put their house in order" as if they were not, and had never been, an equal part of British society.

The Guardian

Monckton's men ended up in a heavily forested region now known as the eastern Canadian province of New Brunswick where, following a two-week siege, they captured an area previously controlled by French Acadian settlers.

The Guardian - Sport

Tony Abbott referred to Muslims a number of times in his speech on Monday, and he referred to the Lindt café siege in Sydney.

The Guardian - Opinion

So it turns out Paul Whittaker is not to blame for the Daily Telegraph's much-maligned late-afternoon edition on the day of the siege.

The Guardian

The editor of the Tele was on leave on Monday while critics were blaming him for the "IS takes 13 hostages in city cafe siege".

The Guardian

Remarkably, the story of a cellist who played Albinoni's Adagio every day for 22 days during the siege, wearing correct evening dress, was true.

The Guardian - Books

After a period of deceptive calm following the suppression of the 1979 siege of the Mecca mosque by the radical Islamic cell of Juhayman al-Otaibi, a violent Islamist opposition made its presence felt.

The Guardian

There are some impressively staged scenes of Renaissance warfare – including a siege at the glorious 13th-century castle of Mount Titano in San Marino.

The Guardian - Film

The East End shoot-out at the end of The Man Who Knew Too Much inevitably recalls the Sidney Street siege, and memories of murderous continental anarchists; here Lorre was an émigré actor touching on the nation's darkest fantasies of an immigrant intrusion.

The Guardian - Film

Commanders of pro-Kiev paramilitary units said on Wednesday morning that some pro-government forces were pulling out of Debaltseve, which has been under siege from Russia-backed separatists.

The Guardian

Rebels were closing in on government soldiers who were trapped in bombed-out ruins and running out of food and supplies after more than a week under siege.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "siege" in writing, consider the specific context to determine if a more precise synonym like "blockade" or "encirclement" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "siege" loosely to describe everyday inconveniences. Reserve it for situations involving genuine, sustained pressure or attack. Overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The noun "siege" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a military or metaphorical situation where a place is surrounded and subjected to sustained pressure or attack. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "siege" is a grammatically correct and versatile term widely used to describe situations involving sustained pressure or attack. Predominantly found in News & Media, as Ludwig AI confirms, it can refer to both literal military blockades and figurative hardships. When employing "siege", writers should consider the intensity and context to ensure its aptness and avoid overuse in trivial situations. Consider using synonyms like "blockade" or "encirclement" for more precision. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of "siege" and its effective application in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

military blockade

Specifically describes a military action to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving an area.

blockade

Focuses specifically on preventing access to a location, often by military means.

encirclement

Refers to the act of surrounding a place or group, cutting off escape.

beleaguerment

Highlights the persistent harassment and pressure exerted on a target.

investment

Emphasizes the surrounding of a place by an enemy force.

besetment

Conveys the feeling of being persistently troubled or attacked.

onslaught

Suggests a fierce or destructive attack.

assault

Implies a violent physical attack on a place or person.

under pressure

Indicates a state of being subjected to stress or coercion.

state of emergency

Describes a situation of critical threat or disruption.

FAQs

How is "siege" typically used in a sentence?

The word "siege" is often used to describe a military operation where an army surrounds a town or building, cutting off essential supplies. It can also refer to a prolonged period of hardship or difficulty. For example, "The city was under "siege" for months" or "The company faced a "siege" of lawsuits".

What are some alternatives to the word "siege"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "blockade", "encirclement", or "assault" if referring to a military situation. If describing a difficult period, consider "ordeal", "hardship", or "pressure".

Is it correct to use "siege" to describe a non-physical attack?

Yes, "siege" can be used metaphorically to describe situations involving intense pressure or prolonged difficulty, such as a ""siege" of criticism" or a ""siege" of legal challenges". However, ensure the context warrants the intensity implied by the word.

What's the difference between "siege" and "blockade"?

"Siege" generally involves surrounding a location to compel surrender, often with ongoing attacks. "Blockade", on the other hand, focuses on preventing goods or people from entering or leaving an area, without necessarily involving active combat.