belagern
Translation
to besiege, to lay siege to, to mob
Examples
Die Armee belagerte die Stadt.
The army besieged the city.
Fans belagerten den berühmten Sänger.
Fans mobbed the famous singer.
Grammar Patterns
((sb./sth.)) to besiege sb./sth. The army besieged the city.
Similar Words
Synonyms: umzingeln, einschließen; Antonyms: befreien
Etymology
Comes from the prefix 'be-' (acting upon) + 'lagern' (to camp, to store). It literally means 'to camp around something'.
Memory Tips
Picture an army setting up a 'Lager' (camp) 'be-' (all around) a fortress to besiege it.