beset

[ bih-set ]

See synonyms for: beset besetting besetment on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),be·set, be·set·ting.

to attack on all sides; assail.
to trouble greatly or grievously; to afflict with mental or physical suffering; harass: The best ideas are often beset by bureaucratic hurdles.Even as he was being beset with disasters, he triumphed.

to surround; hem in: The village was beset on all sides by dense forest.Our work will be beset with dangers.
to set or place upon; bestud: The gold bracelet she found was beset with jewels.
Nautical. to surround (a vessel) by ice, so that control of the helm is lost.

Origin of beset

First recorded before 1000; from Middle English besetten, Old English besettan. See be-, set

Other words for beset

1	assault, harass
2	afflict, bedevil, persecute, torment, trouble
3	encircle, enclose, besiege
4	stud, decorate, ornament

See synonyms for beset on Thesaurus.com

Other words from beset

be·set·ment, noun
be·set·ter, noun
pre·be·set, verb (used with object), pre·be·set, pre·be·set·ting.
un·be·set, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use beset in a sentence

Beyond advertisers’ broader aversion to news content, BuzzFeed News has been beset by a perception problem among advertisers.
‘Context really matters again’: How BuzzFeed’s HuffPost acquisition can help the combined company’s ad sales pitch | Tim Peterson | November 30, 2020 | Digiday
Gómez’s former staffer, Kelvin Barrios, who’s running to replace her in the District 9 seat, has been beset with his own financial disclosure issues, and recently announced he was suspending his campaign.
Morning Report: How to Open Schools and Other Stuff | Voice of San Diego | October 9, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s plan to turn an indoor skydiving center into a one-stop shop for homeless services has been beset by controversies and criticism from the outset, since the city rushed to purchase the supremely weird building.
Morning Report: A New Twist in the Navigation Center Saga | Voice of San Diego | October 1, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
While Reade’s account has been beset by inconsistencies and credibility issues, it’s also one of several allegations by women who have accused the former vice president of no less than inappropriate physical contact.
Sexual misconduct allegations are playing out just like they did in 2016—even after the #MeToo movement | reymashayekhi | September 22, 2020 | Fortune
Executives familiar with iAd recalled it was beset with issues.
‘It’s the first time they’re listening’: Apple is striking a more conciliatory tone with the ad industry | Lara O'Reilly | September 8, 2020 | Digiday

Jane listened attentively, and promised to remember the warning, and guard against what she knew to be her greatest besetment.
For John's Sake | Annie Frances Perram
From that time she steadily fought against her deadly sin, until its besetment lost all power over her.
For John's Sake | Annie Frances Perram
He made every effort to shake off this new besetment, this fresh assault upon the tranquility he had attained.
The Hidden Places | Bertrand W. Sinclair
For since he had come out of prison he was every day more subject to this besetment of recalling the past.
The Prisoner | Alice Brown
After a besetment of twenty-four days, Iberville succeeded in extricating his vessel from the ice and passed into the bay.
Explorers and Travellers | Adolphus W. Greely

British Dictionary definitions for beset

beset

/ (bɪˈsɛt) /

verb-sets, -setting or -set (tr)

(esp of dangers, temptations, or difficulties) to trouble or harass constantly
to surround or attack from all sides

archaic to cover with, esp with jewels

Derived forms of beset

besetter, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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