beset

verb

be·​set bi-ˈset 

bē-

beset; besetting

transitive verb

1

: to set or stud with or as if with ornaments

a crown beset with rubies

… leaves, whose edges were beset with thorns …

—J. G. Frazer

2

: trouble, harass

inflation besets the economy

3

a

: to set upon : assail

the explorers were beset by wolves

b

: to hem in : surround

a town beset with high mountains

besetment

bi-ˈset-mənt 

bē-

noun

Synonyms

• afflict
• agonize
• anguish
• bedevil
• besiege
• curse
• excruciate
• harrow
• persecute
• plague
• rack
• torment
• torture

Examples of beset in a Sentence

A lack of money is the greatest problem besetting the city today.

he's been beset by a lack of self-confidence virtually his entire life

Recent Examples on the Web

His hero would have to struggle with the political battle that had beset Mann during the war. —George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

Harris became the Democratic nominee this summer after Biden, beset by questions about his age and poor poll numbers, dropped out of the race but quickly consolidated the Party behind her. —Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 1 Nov. 2024

The weather was still clear and the wind was out of the northwest at 10 to 15 knots, but the long Pacific rollers that beset that coast so much of the time were growing in size. —Orval C. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024

It was beset by problems from the start: some technical, some logistical, some the effects of poor planning and management. —Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English besetten, from Old English besettan, from be- + settan to set

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

beset

verb

be·​set bi-ˈset 

beset; besetting

1

: to trouble with problems

2

: to set upon : assail