beset

verb

be·​set bi-ˈset How to pronounce beset (audio)
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 noun

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 game involves a planet beset by radical changes in climate owing to the gravitational effect of three suns — that three-body problem that comprises the title. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 However, the three-time Miami Open winner has been beset by injuries of late and has played just two matches this year after returning from seven months out. Matias Grez, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 Indeed, his vastly influential and lucrative career has also been beset by personal tragedy, including the loss of his beloved brother Tyree to street violence and a son to drug abuse. A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 Since 2019, the airline industry has been beset with challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions to Southwest’s epic holiday meltdown in 2022 that left millions of travelers stranded across the country. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 In recent months, however, the new form has been beset by hiccups, and has faced backlash on Capitol Hill as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle weighed in on an issue that has risen to the top of many families’ minds during an election year. Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 The glistening skyline beset with picturesque stadiums, the beautiful green swath of Smale Riverfront Park, condos and restaurants. Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2024 During Ivy Ridge’s nearly 10 years in existence, it was beset by controversy, including a riot that broke out in the boys wing of the school in May 2005 and the school losing its accreditation later that year and being ordered to refund some tuition. Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 Any giving that aims to address the social and environmental problems that beset our planet is valuable. Brigit Helms, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beset.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of beset was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near beset

Cite this Entry

“Beset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beset. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

beset

verb
be·​set bi-ˈset How to pronounce beset (audio)
beset; besetting
1
: to trouble with problems
2
: to set upon : assail

More from Merriam-Webster on beset

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!