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 Commanders, meanwhile, are 4-11 and without star quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has been beset with injuries in his sophomore campaign. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025

The Kansas City Chiefs have been beset by quarterback injuries in the past two weeks, with superstar Patrick Mahomes tearing his ACL and backup Gardner Minshew suffering a knee injury Sunday. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Dec. 2025

But the same dynamic now also helps illustrate why TPUSA is beset by infighting. —Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025

Gravity’s launch earlier in 2025 was beset by shortages of key materials like magnets, aluminum, and chips, Winterhoff said on the company’s third-quarter earnings call. —Robert Ferris, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025

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