beset

1 of 2

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

besetment

2 of 2

noun

be·​set·​ment bi-ˈset-mənt 

bē-

plural -s

1

: the action of besetting or the condition of being beset

would invite besetment in the frozen sea

—Glen Jacobsen

2

: something by which one is beset : trouble, vexation

the small besetments and annoyances of life

especially : a besetting sin, weakness, or failing

Synonyms of beset

Verb

• plague
• afflict
• persecute
• besiege

Examples of beset in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

But Ogles, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, was also beset by a history of inflammatory remarks, including calling for a ban on immigration from mostly Muslim countries. — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2026

On the call, Musk also touted two recent successful test flights of the company’s Starship megarocket, which has been beset by delays. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2026

If your garden has been beset by destructive crawling insects like ants, beetles, and slugs, pesticides often seem like the clear solution. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 1 Aug. 2026

The elimination of the TPS program affects more than 300,000 Haitians nationwide, who now face the possibility of deportation to a country beset by widespread gang warfare, unreliable healthcare, cholera outbreaks and deadly drone attacks. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for beset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• binet
• 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