Synonyms of beset

beset

verb

bi-ˈset 

1

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

• plague
• afflict
• persecute
• besiege
• bedevil
• torture
• torment
• bother
• attack
• curse
• anguish
• trouble
• agonize
• harrow
• assail
• excruciate
• sting
• rack
• overwhelm
• aggravate
• pursue
• strike
• exasperate
• disturb
• vex
• annoy
• distress
• worry
• irk
• irritate
• harass
• hurt
• upset
• discomfort
• perturb
• pester
• oppress
• disquiet
• hound
• agitate
• rile
• grieve
• bug
• chafe
• stress
• molest
• badger
• dog
• try
• discompose
• gripe
• pain
• ride
• victimize
• smite
• overpower
• fluster
• grate
• pique
• harry
• put out
• stab
• strain
• gall
• crush
• tyrannize
• nettle
• wring
• peeve
• prick
• smart
• rasp
• get
• hagride
• martyr
• pang

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assist
• help
• aid
• relieve
• deliver
• abet
• release
• soothe
• comfort
• quiet
• console
• content
• reprieve
• succor
• solace

2

as in to attack

to take sudden, violent action against

the unsuspecting tourists were suddenly beset by robbers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attack
• assault
• raid
• storm
• strike
• assail
• rob
• ambush
• set at
• turn (on)
• charge
• set on
• set upon
• invade
• descend (on or upon)
• swarm
• rush
• go in (on)
• round on
• jump (on)
• fly at
• sic
• tear into
• bushwhack
• pounce (on or upon)
• pitch into
• beat up on
• besiege
• mob
• surprise
• trash
• waylay
• go at
• light into
• barrage
• sack
• bombard
• flank
• ravage
• gang up (on)
• overrun
• plunder
• blitz
• bomb
• beleaguer
• nuke
• cannon
• batter
• ambuscade
• plaster
• pillage
• loot
• envelop
• bum-rush
• buffet
• mug
• cannonade
• harry
• foray
• bang away (at)
• press

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protect
• secure
• defend
• cover
• guard
• shield

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of beset

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

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