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View synonyms for

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: , , , , , , , , ,

  4. to set or place upon; bestud:

    The gold bracelet she found was beset with jewels.

    Synonyms: , ,

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


beset

/ ɪˈɛ /

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
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٳٱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ··Գ noun
  • ··ٱ noun
  • ·· verb (used with object) prebeset prebesetting
  • ܲ·· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of beset1

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

It has been beset on all sides by threats of one kind or another, since, really colonial times, but most recently, that threat has come in the form of mining.

From

A key question facing the new oversight system is how it can overcome the byzantine dispersion of authority and tension between the different levels of government that beset the current system.

From

In the years before his death, the pope was beset by several illnesses.

From

With already ever-increasing shipping costs in the Caribbean, and high local import duties causing exorbitant prices in a region beset by low wages, the impact of Trump's tariffs could be profound and keenly felt.

From

Still, the logistical parallels — in a world beset by evil, peace exists to be shattered — holds well enough.

From

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Beseleelset in one's ways, be