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beset

verb

bi-ˈset How to pronounce beset (audio)
Definition of besetnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 As told in the Devi Mahatmya, the gods are beset by the demon (asura) Mahishasura, who received a boon that he cannot be killed by a man—but he can be killed by a woman. — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 The trial-scheduling order entered by Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael Schrama marked the latest milestone in a military prosecution beset by two decades of legal deadlock surrounding the four detainees held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. — Steve Gorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 And Europe — the world’s fastest-warming continent — has been beset by extreme weather that has caused widespread droughts and blazes, marking some of the region’s gravest natural disasters on record. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026 That could be part of the reason why Illinois suddenly seems to be beset by so many twisters. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beset
  1. plague
  2. attack
  3. afflict
  4. assault
  5. persecute
  6. raid
  7. besiege
  8. storm
Verb
  • The leaders of America’s largest transit systems say there are common problems that plague them all, including riders who do not pay their fare on trains and buses, cybersecurity threats and a need to modernize systems.
    — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • For Guhle, this is yet another physical setback among many that have plagued the 24-year-old’s NHL career.
    — Arpon Basu, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of plague
Verb
  • Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone leaders say the pastor’s words attack their identity and echo past religious assimilation, spurring weekly demonstrations and new rules requiring outside ministries to seek tribal approval.
    — Savannah Peters, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • To beat the odds, founders need to plan for a long-term goal that is relevant and achievable, then attack it in a series of sprints that enable incremental growth.
    — Deann Evans, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of attack
Verb
  • The painful condition, which causes tissue similar to the lining of the uterus to grow on other parts of the body, afflicts 1 in 10 women worldwide.
    — Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The work continues and the Frates family has maintained the passion that Pete instilled in them in fighting the disease that is still afflicting far too many people.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of afflict
Verb
  • In the case of Kim, agents found direct messages on his desktop computer between him and a minor victim in which the victim describes him allegedly assaulting her and beating her dog.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • He is accused of assaulting a deputy before being taken into custody and faces charges including unlawful escape, resisting arrest, and assaulting a police officer.
    — KC Baker, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of assault
Verb
  • Also, some immigration cases involve people seeking asylum because they are being persecuted by a foreign government and releasing a person’s full name could be considered sensitive or even dangerous.
    — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The Tates have denied all allegations and have claimed they are being persecuted for their views.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of persecute
Verb
  • Still, the family was shocked when their home was raided by Homeland Security Investigations and LAPD in August 2023.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • After a nearly seven-week manhunt, police raided the Kohberger family home in eastern Pennsylvania, where Kohberger was visiting during holiday break, and arrested him in late December 2022.
    — Kevin Fixler September 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of raid
Verb
  • In recent months, Israeli settlers have repeatedly besieged the village of Qusra, defying orders from the authorities to leave the area and trying to force Palestinian families, some of whom are also American citizens, out.
    — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • There has been a spate of Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, and the village of Qusra has been besieged by Israeli settlers for weeks.
    — F. Brinley Bruton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of besiege
Verb
  • On a cold night in November 2011, in a field outside Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, a gang of thugs stormed a Soviet scientific research institute, beat and humiliated the staff and burned the place to the ground.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The second-chance Hail Mary led to the incomprehensible scene of the Michigan Stadium crowd storming the field to cheer the winningest program in Bowl Subdivision history eking out a victory over a Mid-American Conference school.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of storm

Browse Nearby Words

beseems
beset
besets
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Cite this Entry

“Beset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beset. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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