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

The publishing industry is beset by AI, from within and without. — Literary Hub, 16 July 2026

But in the Greater Horn of Africa, an area already beset by prolonged crisis and conflict, these factors are combining with others to potentially create a major, multicountry polycrisis. — Peter Hailey, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

Trump had said the repairs would last a century, but within days of the project’s initial completion last month, the water was beset by an algae bloom and pieces of the new coating appeared to be peeling off the bottom. — Matthew Daly, Fortune, 16 July 2026

But the story about the war hero Odysseus, whose journey home with his men is beset by sea storms, shipwrecks, gods, monsters and shady ladies, set the template for literature, comic books, science fiction and Hollywood epics for centuries to come. — Jim Beckerman, USA Today, 16 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