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 tournament has been beset with fears over seat pricing and turnout, but the Azteca stadium was full and in carnival mode, with beer and paper sombreros raining from the stands. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 12 June 2026

Bass was also beset with challenges, being an incumbent in a city beset with problems. —National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

But there's been a spike in attacks in the park related to the armed conflict that's beset the region for more than 30 years. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 June 2026

Haiti’s national team qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, but players had to train abroad as the Caribbean nation is beset by gang control of most of its capital and a humanitarian crisis. —Greg Cote june 4, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026

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
• 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