What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
siege
Example
The enemy army laid siege to the castle for months. [siege: noun]
Example
The company was under siege from negative media coverage. [siege: preposition]
blockade
Example
The navy established a blockade to prevent supplies from reaching the enemy. [blockade: noun]
Example
The protesters blocked the entrance to the building. [blocked: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Blockade is more commonly used than siege in everyday language. Blockade is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while siege is less common and is mostly used in military or historical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between siege and blockade?
Both siege and blockade are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts, such as military or political discussions.
