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Synonyms

besetting

American  
[bih-set-ing] / bɪˈsɛt ɪŋ /

adjective

  1. constantly assailing or obsessing, as with temptation.

    a besetting sin.
besetting British  
/ bɪˈsɛtɪŋ /

adjective

  1. tempting, harassing, or assailing (esp in the phrase besetting sin )

"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

Etymology

Origin of besetting

First recorded in 1540–50; beset + -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The mood among German consumers continues to darken as the pressures besetting Europe’s largest economy take their toll on sentiment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 27, 2025

In a sign of the troubles besetting the industry, one large almond-growing conglomerate has declared bankruptcy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2024

The findings suggest kids have been caught in the crossfire of simultaneous immigration and housing crises besetting the city.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 1, 2023

He also followed up on prior deals to provide arms and training to regional powers while adroitly sidestepping the deadly frictions currently besetting the Middle East.

From Washington Times • Oct. 26, 2023

However, the difficulties besetting our task are so great that we cannot hope for more than tentative and incomplete answers.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.