beset

[ bih-set ]

/ bɪˈsɛt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR beset ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), be·set, be·set·ting.

to attack on all sides; assail; harass: to be beset by enemies; beset by difficulties.

to surround; hem in: a village beset on all sides by dense forest.

to set or place upon; bestud: a gold bracelet beset with jewels.

Nautical. to surround (a vessel) by ice, so that control of the helm is lost.

Nearby words

bescribble, beseech, beseeching, beseem, beseleel, beset, besetting, beshow, beshrew, besht, beside

Origin of beset

before 1000; Middle English besetten, Old English besettan. See be-, set

SYNONYMS FOR beset

2 encircle, enclose, besiege, beleaguer.

3 stud, decorate, ornament.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR beset ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

be·set·ment, nounbe·set·ter, nounpre·be·set, verb (used with object), pre·be·set, pre·be·set·ting.un·be·set, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for beset

I suspect that the new Tarzan will run into the same problems that beset the recent Lone Ranger remake.
Can Tarzan of the Apes Survive in a Post-Colonial World?|Ted Gioia|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We may be beset by deep political divisions, but the moderate, outward-looking center is large; not a fringe section of society.
Beirut Letter: In Lebanon, Fighting ISIS With Culture and Satire|Kim Ghattas|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Stringer depicts a country that is beset by complications of both past imperialism and current globalism.
This Week’s Hot Reads: Feb. 24, 2014|Thomas Flynn|February 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
India, for example, is still very poor and beset by many ethnic and religious divides, yet has a thriving democracy.
Why Democracy Will Struggle In The Arab World In 2014|Balint Szlanko|January 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In her speech, Rice mentioned Iraq once, as a “fragile democracy” beset by “internal strife and hostile neighbors.”
The Wars Condoleezza Rice & John McCain Left Out of Their RNC Speeches|Peter Beinart|August 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The transportation of certain kinds of seeds over long distances, especially on sea voyages, is often beset with difficulties.
The Nursery Book|Liberty Hyde Bailey
Your men returned at noon yesterday and told me of the ambush in which they had been beset.
The Bravest of the Brave|G. A. Henty
She was in no condition to be left alone, this delicate and fragile child, defenceless and beset.
The Destroying Angel|Louis Joseph Vance
But in time I overcame such difficulties as beset me, and soon learned to spend thousands of dollars with comparative ease.
Peeps at People|John Kendrick Bangs
He meant well, and tried to do well, and he did not struggle in vain against the trials and temptations that beset him.
Try Again|Oliver Optic

British Dictionary definitions for beset

beset

/ (bɪˈsɛt) /

verb -sets, -setting or -set (tr)

(esp of dangers, temptations, or difficulties) to trouble or harass constantly

to surround or attack from all sides

archaic to cover with, esp with jewels

Derived Forms

besetter, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012