beset

be·set

transitive verb \bi-ˈset, bē-\

be·set be·set·ting

Definition of BESET

1

: to set or stud with or as if with ornaments

2

: trouble, harass <inflation besets the economy>

3

a : to set upon : assail <the settlers were beset by savages>

b : to hem in : surround

— be·set·ment \-mənt\ noun

Examples of BESET

1. A lack of money is the greatest problem besetting the city today.
2. <he's been beset by a lack of self-confidence virtually his entire life>

Origin of BESET

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BESET

Synonyms

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

Related Words

assail, attack; badger, dog, hound, pursue, ride; aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, distress, disturb, exasperate, gall, get, grate, gripe, hagride, harass, harry, irk, irritate, molest, nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, vex; discomfort, discompose, disquiet, fluster, grieve, perturb, strain, stress, trouble, try, upset, worry; crush, oppress, overpower, overwhelm, smite, strike, tyrannize, victimize; hurt, pain, pang, prick, smart, stab, sting, wring; martyr

Near Antonyms

abet, aid, assist, help; deliver, release, relieve, reprieve; comfort, console, content, quiet, solace, soothe, succor

Rhymes with BESET

abet, aigrette, all wet, backset, baguette, banquette, barbette, barquette, barrette, beget, blanquette, boneset, brevet, briquette, brochette, brunet, burette, burnet, cadet, cassette, cermet, Colette, coquet, coquette, cornet, corselet, corvette, coset, courgette, croquette, curette, curvet, cuvette, dinette, dip net, diskette, dragnet, duet, egret, fan-jet, fishnet, fly net, forget, gazette, georgette, Gillette, gillnet, gill net, godet, grisette, handset, hard-set, headset, ink-jet, inlet, inset, jet set, Juliet, kismet, layette, life net, lorgnette, lunette, maquette, Marquette, mind-set, mist net, moonset, moquette, motet, musette, nerve net, noisette, nonet, nymphet, octet, offset, onset, outlet, outset, paillette, pallette, palmette, pipette, piquet, planchette, pound net, poussette, preset, quartet, quickset, quintet, raclette, ramet, ramjet, regret, reset, revet, rocket, roomette, rosette, roulette, saw set, septet, sestet, sextet, sharp-set, soubrette, spinet, stage set, stylet, sublet, subset, sunset, syrette, tea set, thickset, Tibet, toilette, tonette, trijet, twinset, typeset, Undset, unset, upset, vedette, vignette, well-set