embattled
Beset by foes
Embattled describes someone or something under sustained attack or pressure.
A military force may be embattled by enemy troops, but the word now more often describes organizations or leaders facing criticism, scandal, or opposition: the embattled CEO, an embattled administration.
In heraldry, embattled describes a line with battlements like a castle wall.
Bounded on all sides
- encircledSurrounded on all sides
- outnumberedExceeded in count
- overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume
- trappedUnable to escape
cornered · assaulted · bombarded · pinned · hemmed · engulfed · enveloped · infiltrated
At risk of extinction
- imperiledPut at risk
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- pressuredUrged with insistence
- attackedActed aggressively against
under fire · beset · harassed · assailed · targeted · challenged · contested · disputed
Heavily defended military structure
- citadelFortified urban stronghold
- bastionFortified defensive position
- strongholdFortified place of defense
- castleFortified medieval residence
rampart · bulwark · garrison · bunker · trenches · barricade · palisade · parapet
Pulled into pieces
- dividedSeparated into portions
- fracturedSplit or splintered
- feudingSustained hostile conflict
- quarrelingArguing angrily with another
infighting · dysfunctional · turbulent · contentious · discordant · polarized · factionalized · splintering
Firmly loyal, unshakeable
- resoluteFixed in purpose
- defiantOpenly resisting control
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
determined · courageous · brave · valiant · stalwart · undaunted · unbowed · persevering
surrounded
Bounded on all sides
- encircledSurrounded on all sides
- outnumberedExceeded in count
- overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume
trapped · cornered · assaulted · bombarded · pinned · hemmed · engulfed · enveloped · infiltrated · stranded
endangered
At risk of extinction
- imperiledPut at risk
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- pressuredUrged with insistence
attacked · under fire · beset · harassed · assailed · targeted · challenged · contested · disputed · struggling
fortress
Heavily defended military structure
- citadelFortified urban stronghold
- bastionFortified defensive position
- strongholdFortified place of defense
castle · rampart · bulwark · garrison · bunker · trenches · barricade · palisade · parapet · watchtower
torn
Pulled into pieces
quarreling · infighting · dysfunctional · turbulent · contentious · discordant · polarized · factionalized · splintering · disunited
steadfast
Firmly loyal, unshakeable
- resoluteFixed in purpose
- defiantOpenly resisting control
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
tenacious · determined · courageous · brave · valiant · stalwart · undaunted · unbowed · persevering · resistant
- journalismreporters, interview, editors, student editors, school paper
- heraldic linesinvected, indented, wavy, dovetailed, angled
- heraldrycoat of arms, coats of arms, crest, crests, arms
embattledpeaceful
Free from disturbance
at peace · untroubled · tranquil · unembattled · calm
embattledsecure
Protected from harm
protected · safe · stable · unchallenged · unthreatened
embattledunprepared
Lacking readiness beforehand
unfortified · undefended · defenseless · exposed · open