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 Osbourne, who was beset by medical issues in the years, months, and even days leading up to the farewell show, performed while seated in a throne. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026 It's already beset by an energy crisis triggered by the war in Iran. — Edna Tarigan, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026 But the Mets underperformed early and were beset by injuries to Lindor, Juan Soto and others. — ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026 Many of the agreements have been brokered with African countries, including those beset by armed conflict, political crises and widespread poverty, like the Central African Republic and South Sudan. — Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beset

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beset

Verb

Walker, who leads the NFL with 360 rushing yards, also is adept at avoiding an issue that plagues many ball carriers and receivers in the NFL.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
The report found that extreme overcrowding and abuse plagued the facilities.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of plague

Verb

The recent success of a late-stage mRNA cancer vaccine, showing the drug stopped the return of melanoma, has boosted hopes that the approach can be successfully harnessed to attack other cancers.

— Allison DeAngelis, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
In Ohio, Husted has been repeatedly attacked for his role in attracting data centers to Ohio as lieutenant governor.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of attack

Verb

Engineers have also taken steps to ensure that a CFT-like thruster anomaly doesn't afflict future Starliner flights.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
While the epicenter was located in Nantou County in central Taiwan, serious damage afflicted residents across the island as roads buckled, bridges collapsed and landslides destroyed everything in their path.

— Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of afflict

Verb

The woman, who was the only person found in the vehicle, had been assaulted by the shooting suspect, sheriff’s officials said, and the two men left the vehicle.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
No one in Cathy’s family seems to know she was assaulted, but for us, that information contextualizes her now-twisted understanding of her own looks and sexuality.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of assault

Verb

Those governments provide assurances that people won’t be persecuted or tortured, federal attorneys said.

— Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of persecute

Verb

Cyrus, who becomes an administrator of veterans’ benefits, leaves his sons such large sums that Charles (Mike Faist) concludes that the old man must have raided his agency’s funds.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2026
Eleven current and former Ford Heights officials are facing 79 felony charges after investigators raided the Village Hall on Thursday to execute a search warrant.

— Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of raid

Verb

States will assert ownership of fishing grounds, tamper with undersea cables, and, potentially, conquer or besiege islands.

— Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
The settlers who carried out the attack in Jalud overnight are the same group who besieged the home of a Palestinian-American in the neighboring village of Qusra last month, local residents say.

— Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of besiege

Verb

The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, after passengers stormed the cockpit and wrenched back controlfrom the attacker, who Israeli officials suspect was trying to crash the plane.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Like magic, upon the proclamation, arm lift, and beat drop, pouring rain storms down upon the audience.

— Miki Hellerbach, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of storm

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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 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of beset

verb

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