beset

[bih-set]

verb (used with object)

beset, besetting 

1. to attack on all sides; assail.

2. to trouble greatly or grievously; to afflict with mental or physical suffering; harass: Even as he was being beset with disasters, he triumphed.

   The best ideas are often beset by bureaucratic hurdles.

   Even as he was being beset with disasters, he triumphed.

3. to surround; hem in.

   The village was beset on all sides by dense forest.

   Our work will be beset with dangers.

   Synonyms: besiege, enclose, encircle, trouble, torment, persecute, bedevil, afflict, harass, assault

4. to set or place upon; bestud.

   The gold bracelet she found was beset with jewels.

   Synonyms: ornament, decorate, stud

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

beset

/ bɪˈsɛt /

verb

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

2. to surround or attack from all sides

3. archaic,  to cover with, esp with jewels

Other Word Forms

• besetter noun
• besetment noun
• prebeset verb (used with object) prebeset, prebesetting
• unbeset adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of beset¹

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

Example Sentences

Games in years past, with billions of dollars in revenue at stake, have at times been beset by corruption and scandal.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This month's meeting comes at an uncertain time for the Chinese economy, beset by sluggish domestic spending, a protracted crisis in the property sector and a turbulent trade war with the United States.

Read more on Barron's

But it is an alarming situation for a U.S. oil industry already beset by narrowing profit margins and shedding jobs by the thousands.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The industry has been beset by headwinds ranging from changing consumer preferences and rising input costs, worsened by tariffs, to more-stringent regulations favored by the Make America Healthy Again movement.

Read more on Barron's

Both are highly recommended, though Ms. Bronstein’s film, starring a riveting Rose Byrne, is downright harrowing in its depiction of a mom beset by a string of personal and professional catastrophes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bedevil 
• beleaguer 
• besiege 
• embarrass 
• invade 
• overrun 
• perplex 
• surround