Select the antonym of the verb "beleaguer", which means to harass or besiege someone with difficulties or criticism.

Introduction / Context:
The word "beleaguer" is often used to describe someone who is being harassed, troubled, or surrounded by difficulties. An antonym must therefore express the opposite idea: helping, supporting, or relieving someone instead of troubling them. This question checks whether you can recognise both synonyms and opposites of less common verbs.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: "beleaguer" (to harass or besiege).
• Options: gnaw, assist, badger, pester.
• We must pick the option that is opposite in meaning to harassment or persistent trouble.

Concept / Approach:
"Beleaguer" and "besiege" suggest continuous pressure, annoyance, or attack. Three of the options ("gnaw", "badger", "pester") also describe forms of persistent irritation or harassment. Only "assist" describes a positive, helpful action. Therefore, "assist" stands in direct contrast to "beleaguer" and functions as its antonym in this set.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Fix the meaning of "beleaguer": to put someone under repeated attack or pressure, either literally (military siege) or metaphorically (harass with problems). Step 2: Examine "gnaw": this verb means to bite or wear away with persistent action, both physically and psychologically ("gnawing doubts"). It suggests a form of ongoing trouble. Step 3: Look at "assist": it means to help or support someone in doing something. Step 4: Consider "badger": this means to repeatedly ask or bother someone, another synonym of harass. Step 5: Evaluate "pester": this also means to annoy or bother someone again and again. Step 6: Since "beleaguer", "badger", "pester", and "gnaw" share the idea of persistent trouble, "assist" is the only word that expresses the opposite idea of providing help instead of pressure.

Verification / Alternative check:
Compare two sentences:

• "The manager was beleaguered by constant complaints." (He was troubled by them.)
• "The manager was assisted by his helpful staff." (He was helped by them.)

These show a clear contrast between being troubled and being supported. If you substitute "badgered" or "pestered" for "beleaguered", the sentences still have nearly the same meaning, confirming those as synonyms rather than antonyms.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• gnaw: Suggests constant wearing away or worrying, which is similar in effect to beleaguering someone internally.
• badger: Means to harass or nag continuously; it is a direct synonym of "beleaguer".
• pester: Also means to annoy repeatedly, making it another synonym rather than opposite.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may focus on unfamiliarity and assume that the rare word "beleaguer" must have an unusual antonym. In reality, exam questions often place a single clearly opposite term among several near synonyms. Always check which words share the same "feel" and which one truly moves in the opposite direction. Here, "assist" obviously swaps harassment for help, making it a safe and correct choice.

Final Answer:
The antonym of "beleaguer" is assist.