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beset

verb
be·​set | \ bi-ˈset How to pronounce beset (audio) , bē-\
beset; besetting

Definition of beset

transitive verb

1 : to set or stud with or as if with ornaments a crown beset with rubies … leaves, whose edges were beset with thorns …— J. G. Frazer
2 : trouble, harass inflation besets the economy
3a : to set upon : assail the explorers were beset by wolves
b : to hem in : surround a town beset with high mountains
Other Words from beset Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about beset

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Other Words from beset

besetment \ bi-​ˈset-​mənt How to pronounce besetment (audio) , bē-​ \ noun

Examples of beset in a Sentence

A lack of money is the greatest problem besetting the city today. he's been beset by a lack of self-confidence virtually his entire life

Recent Examples on the Web

 Owing to a combination of his physical style of play and plain misfortune, though, Luck was beset by injury. — Robert O'connell, The Atlantic, "Andrew Luck Chooses Himself Over the NFL," 26 Aug. 2019 The Registry has been beset by a series of failings, especially its handling of Zhukovskyy’s record. — Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, "Healey, an RMV critic, sits on panel charged with oversseeing unit at center of scandal," 19 Aug. 2019 Since arriving in Merseyside from RB Leipzig last summer, the 24-year-old has been beset with numerous niggling injuries, limiting his game time hindering him from having an extended run-in in the first-team. — SI.com, "Liverpool Provide Naby Keita Injury Update Ahead of UEFA Super Cup Clash With Chelsea," 14 Aug. 2019 As a result, the country isn’t beset by the wealth gap that underpins much of the discontent roiling Hong Kong. — Los Angeles Times, "Singapore prefers its Speakers’ Corner to the Hong Kong protests, thank you," 14 Aug. 2019 Since then, the woman’s family has been beset by a series of tragedies. — Fox News, "Deadly car crash in India that injured alleged rape victim being investigated for possible ties to politician: report," 1 Aug. 2019 Those three countries, known as the Northern Triangle, have been beset by a series of political and natural catastrophes that have ravaged their economies. — Ana Campoy, Quartz, "Trump’s asylum deal with Guatemala looks illegal even without reading it," 30 July 2019 From the outset the World Cup competition was beset by players willing to cheat to win big. — Eric Adelson, Washington Post, "‘Fortnite’ is about to award its best players $30 million. What happens next is anyone’s guess.," 25 July 2019 Both programs have been beset by high costs and delays. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "The Greatest Leap, part 6: After Apollo, NASA still searching for an encore," 21 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'beset.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of beset

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for beset

Middle English besetten, from Old English besettan, from be- + settan to set

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More Definitions for beset

beset

verb
How to pronounce beset (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of beset

: to cause problems or difficulties for (someone or something)

See the full definition for beset in the English Language Learners Dictionary

beset

verb
be·​set | \ bi-ˈset How to pronounce beset (audio) \
beset; besetting

Kids Definition of beset

1 : to attack violently The traveler was beset by wild beasts.
2 : surround sense 1 a moon beset with clouds
3 : to cause problems or difficulties for Doubts beset him.

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