Showing results for "besetting"

• present participle of beset.

besetting

American  

[bih-set-ing] / bɪˈsɛt ɪŋ /

adjective

1. constantly assailing or obsessing, as with temptation.

   a besetting sin.

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besetting British  

/ bɪˈsɛtɪŋ /

adjective

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

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Etymology

Origin of besetting

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

besetting

Unfortunately, sloppy handling of details is one of two chief weaknesses besetting “The Epic History of Macaroni and Cheese.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026

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

Another foe besetting both Ukrainian and Russian forces is a more elemental force — the mud that follows winter’s end, transforming wide swaths of the front line into swamps of brown ooze.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2023

My terror, as I lay there, of falling ill, and being unfitted for to-morrow, was so besetting, that I wonder it did not disable me of itself.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

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Related Words

• enthusiastic
• irresistible
• passionate
• uncontrollable

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