BESET Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

beset

verb

bi-ˈset

Definition of beset

as in to plague

to cause persistent suffering to he's been beset by a lack of self-confidence virtually his entire life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to attack

to take sudden, violent action against the unsuspecting tourists were suddenly beset by robbers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of beset Residents struggled to understand the process of receiving help from FEMA, people were beset by scams and price gouging, and tenants whose homes had been destroyed or made uninhabitable puzzled over their rights. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 On May 23, 2011, the day after the tornado destroyed a third of the city, Scott Clayton was one of those leaders, standing on a hill on 22nd Street, disoriented and beset with self-doubt. — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 2026 The following year, Maduro claimed victory in an election beset by fraud. — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 Oppressive smoke from Canadian wildfires amid a heat wave had beset the tristate area in the preceding week. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for beset

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beset

Verb

The following season, Toney appeared in a career-high 13 games, but he was plagued by drops and a late-season injury.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
The project to give the pool a facelift to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday began in April, but has been beset by difficulties after it became plagued by an algae bloom and the pool’s new blue lining began to peel.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of plague

Verb

Okot applied that advice by limiting unnecessary dribbles and attacking the basket more efficiently.

— Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 28 July 2026
With attacking talent aplenty – including star man Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola – Zidane will have to figure out a way to find harmony among his forward options.

— Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 28 July 2026

Definition of attack

Verb

Other writers have successfully captured the malaise afflicting the under-45 crowd and offered nutrient-dense characters.

— Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
One hour of media day player interviews, amid all the narratives afflicting the sport, felt like a long time to hold your breath.

— Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of afflict

Verb

King accused of assault, charged with misdemeanors While King was detained, a police officer told one of her neighbors at the scene that King was suspected of assaulting a National Guard member, the claim said.

— Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026
The charges allege that some players assaulted a sophomore after two practices.

— Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 29 July 2026

Definition of assault

Verb

In The Bacchae, Dionysus becomes violent only because his existence has been denied and his followers persecuted, and his maenads similarly become destructive only when pursued.

— Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 31 July 2026
Germany and Austria have unique programs that offer citizenship to the descendants of anyone who was persecuted or feared persecution by the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026

Definition of persecute

Verb

After he was elected, Wu and other council members were invited to participate in an interview at Su’s studio on San Bernardino Road in West Covina, the same building that was raided by the FBI last week.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Ever since, the couple have been through it all, from winter storms that dumped many inches of snow to ravens raiding their nest and eating their eggs.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Definition of raid

Verb

The staff means business, with the host stand besieged by walk-ins, take-out orders, and impatient guests waiting outside.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
His entries have always been besieged by cameos from popular characters such as Iron Man, Nick Fury, or, as in No Way Home, the Spider-Men that preceded Holland’s take.

— David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of besiege

Browse Nearby Words

beseems

beset

besets

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Cite this Entry

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“Beset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beset. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of beset

verb

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