siege 
/ˈsi:ʤ/ noun
plural sieg·es /ˈsi:ʤ/ noun 1 : a situation in which soldiers or police officers surround a city, building, etc., in order to try to take control of it [count] ▪ the siege of Paris ▪ The castle was built to withstand a siege. [noncount] ▪ The city is in a state of siege. 2 [count] : a serious and lasting attack of something — usually singular ▪ He's recovering from a siege of depression. ▪ a long siege of bitterly cold temperatures
lay siege to (something or someone) 1 : to surround (a city, building, etc.) with soldiers or police officers in order to try to take control of it
▪ The army laid siege to the city. 2 : to attack (something or someone) constantly or repeatedly — usually used figuratively ▪ Angry taxpayers laid siege to city hall with letters and phone calls.
▪ The army laid siege to the city.
under siege 1 : surrounded with soldiers or police officers in a siege
▪ The city was under siege and food was getting scarce. 2 : very seriously attacked or criticized by many people
▪ The newspaper has been under siege lately by its readers for printing a false story.
▪ The city was under siege and food was getting scarce.
▪ The newspaper has been under siege lately by its readers for printing a false story.
