1
as in plagues
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
2
as in attacks
to take sudden, violent action against
the unsuspecting tourists were suddenly beset by robbers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besets
Verb
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Everything that plagues Chicago also plagues America.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025 -
This temporary fix does nothing to resolve the chronic underfunding and instability that plagues these programs year after year.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Even as Russia attacks power plants, grids, and neighborhoods, Ukraine’s energy system has endured and adapted, becoming a decentralized network that keeps homes lit, factories running, and morale intact.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, on the opposite side, Eze attacks the space vertically — rather than diagonally behind the centre-backs — to be in Pedro Porro’s blindside as Munoz is carrying the ball forward.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease caused by a virus that primarily, and most severely, afflicts children.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
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Although there have been recent breakthroughs in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, no medication has succeeded in stopping or reversing the disease that afflicts more than 7 million Americans, a number projected to reach almost 13 million by 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Microsoft raids Google’s AI ranks Mustafa Suleyman, one of the founders of Google’s DeepMind, who is now head of Microsoft AI, is raiding his old company for talent, calling them personally on the phone with the promise that life at Microsoft has more of a startup vibe than Google does.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Marcello steps in to guide her safely down the mountain, though their connection is quickly cut short when Emily storms off to confront Gabriel and end their relationship.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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With a face as crimson as her hair, Ellen storms directly into her brother Colum’s (Séamus McLean Ross) office, demanding answers.—
Lincee Ray Published,
EW.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The result is an almost-black shade of mahogany that strikes the perfect balance of autumnal aura and goth feels.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
11 Sep. 2025
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Specifically, the child died of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare, but always fatal complication that strikes years after an initial measles infection.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These are meant to build apprehension, but choppy editing robs the sequence of momentum.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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For Christians, the Bible is the word of God, and turning that word into short-form viral content robs it of its power.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Both streams and especially sales of many of Swift's most famous albums grew considerably, and the superstar invades the Top Album Sales ranking with multiple comebacks as several classics from her discography soar.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Most shark bites occur because a shark mistakes the human for a fish or the human invades the shark's space, according to a report by the Florida Museum.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Besets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besets. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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