beset; besetting
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
J. G. FrazerExamples 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
Droughts, freezes and hurricanes have beset farmers in the United States.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 27 Mar. 2026
South Africa has been beset by corruption scandals for years, often involving large government contracts.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
The ruling caps a prosecution that was routinely beset by delays, amid concerns about Johnson’s mental fitness and a rotating cast of attorneys for Jackson.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
The industry has been beset by oversupply but higher demand would boost their balance sheets, analysts said.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beset
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 27 Mar. 2026
South Africa has been beset by corruption scandals for years, often involving large government contracts.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
The ruling caps a prosecution that was routinely beset by delays, amid concerns about Johnson’s mental fitness and a rotating cast of attorneys for Jackson.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
The industry has been beset by oversupply but higher demand would boost their balance sheets, analysts said.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beset
Cite this Entry
“Beset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beset. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
