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

Some of the states do not have returning electors, and these are the ones where criminal cases have been brought, though many of the cases have been beset by issues. —Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 17 Dec. 2024

The South Korean president has also been beset by scandal involving his wife, first lady Kim Keon Hee. —Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 3 Dec. 2024

Amazon struck a splashy $100M deal with MrBeast for his Beast Games reality show and that show is due to launch next month, although it has been beset by issues during production. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024

New Jersey, beset by numerous wildfires burning across the state, declared a drought warning Wednesday amid dropping water levels. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 14 Nov. 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