as in obsessive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
that woman's besetting need to meddle in the affairs of others
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to
he's been beset by a lack of self-confidence virtually his entire life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in attacking
to take sudden, violent action against
the unsuspecting tourists were suddenly beset by robbers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of besetting
Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
To his sons, however, the Party offers meaning and purpose—a powerful countervailing force to the lack of prospects besetting their generation, which had been decimated by the Great War.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besetting
Adjective
-
So much of the unlikely story is about Lightfoot’s obsessive attention to detail and commitment to getting the story right, which resulted in a classic ballad that has helped keep the ship’s memory alive.—
John U. Bacon,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The story explores a father’s obsessive pursuit of justice for his missing daughter, highlighting the devastating impact of loss and raising questions about the boundaries between justice and vigilantism, per the logline.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bersten, 31, reveals he’s been pleased with the Dynasty actress’s work ethic in rehearsal despite the injuries plaguing her.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
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Pearsall appeared to have reaggravated his knee injury that was plaguing him all week, and he was pulled from the game.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Teams found a way to negate Forest’s counter-attacking style.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
And more so than most nights, the Bengals' offensive identity for a long first-half stretch seemed to hinge on attacking quick underneath routes to open up shots to Higgins -- or Chase -- on Moss.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
An impulsive move can backfire.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Woolf said that those with the condition may also be given antidepressants to treat low mood or mood stabilizers to manage manic symptoms, which can include elevated mood, impulsive behavior and sleep difficulties.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Those who dismissed intersectionality saw such policies as little more than allowing the disadvantaged to commit crimes without consequences to make up for past inequities, afflicting crime victims from the same disadvantaged communities.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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Americans live shorter lives than their European equivalents, McClatchy News reported in April, but the trend of stagnant life expectancy appears to be afflicting European nations the same, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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All the major charges against the 13-year-old accused of assaulting a police officer at the July 4 Red, White and Blue Ash were either dismissed by prosecutors or a magistrate.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Oct. 2025
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In this particular case, assaulting someone is a crime and anyone caught doing it should be held accountable.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The former human-rights lawyer entered on a tourist visa and filed for political asylum in October of that year, claiming the governments that succeeded Correa were persecuting him.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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For 25 years, Chavism has co-opted Venezuela's infrastructure for its own enrichment, persecuting journalists and opposition, wrecking the economy, and leaving its citizens in poverty.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While many consider the mammal a nuisance for raiding garbage cans and damaging property, raccoons can also carry diseases, and they probably shouldn't be kept as housepets.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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Taco Bell is raiding its vault and bringing fans along for the re-exploration.—
Sonal Dutt,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Besetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besetting. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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