siege

A siege is when a group of people surrounds and tries to capture an important place like a city or castle. It's usually a desperate attempt to get control.

Siege is often used in history books and movies about battles, but it can also be applied more broadly to situations where something or someone is being squeezed or restricted from all sides. Think of a sports team on the verge of winning a game - they might put their opponents under siege by putting so much pressure that the other team just can't hold out any longer. In everyday life, you might feel like you're under siege if you're dealing with too many demands and obligations at once, and it feels like everything is coming at you from all directions.