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 of beset

• plague
• afflict
• persecute
• besiege

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

The country is beset by instability, attacks by terrorists have displaced millions of people. —Fatma Tanis, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026

Long in the works, and beset by delays and reshoots, the film is finally set to hit theaters on April 24, with Jackson’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the title role. —Amelia McDonell-Parry, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026

Budgetary shortfalls have beset other large cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles. —Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026

But all was not well in America in 1976, in the aftermath of the unpopular Vietnam War and the presidential scandal that was Watergate, and beset by soaring gasoline prices amid crisis in the Middle East. —Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for beset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette
• cadet

Kids Definition

beset

verb

be·​set bi-ˈset 

beset; besetting

1

: to trouble with problems

2

: to set upon : assail