Question

Choose the one which best expresses the meaning of BESIEGED
A. Encircled
B. Skirted
C. Troubled
D. Destroyed

Answer 1

Hint: The word ‘besieged’ is the past tense of the word ‘besiege’ which means to surround or crowd upon someone or something in large numbers. In terms of military, it means to surround or attack a territory by an army. It also means to cause worry or distress. Example: The journalists besieged the actor with questions on his alleged involvement in a criminal case. Here, we will look for a word that means similar to the meaning of the word besieged.

Complete answer: 
Let us analyze each option individually to know the correct answer.
Encircled: The word ‘encircled’ is the past tense of the word ‘encircle’ means to make a circle around something, to encompass, to surround something. Example: They encircled the enemy. This sounds similar to the meaning of the word ‘besieged’.
Skirted: The word ‘skirted’ is the past tense of the word ‘skirt’ which means to go around something, to protect from danger, to avoid, to make a shield, to miss or evade by a minimal margin. It also means a garment. Example: The troops skirted the area all night. This is a different meaning from the word ‘besieged’.
Troubled: The word ‘troubled’ is the past tense of the word ‘trouble’ which means to get bothered, to get distressed by something, to face danger, to make upset or worried. Example: The bank troubled him a lot when he failed to repay the loan. This is different in meaning from the word ‘besieged’.
Destroyed: The word ‘destroyed’ is the past tense of the word ‘destroy’ which means to damage something or cause destruction in a way that something can not be used any further. Example: The building was destroyed in the earthquake. This is different in meaning than the word ‘besieged’.

So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note:
Do not confuse the correct answer with the word ‘skirted’ as it means outer protection and not to surround. The answer ‘encircled’ means to surround. More synonyms of the word ‘besieged’ are a trap, beset, blockade whereas some antonyms of the same word are let go, leave alone. Example: He lets go of things that cause chaos.