beset

[bih-set] / bɪˈsɛt /

VERB

plague; hem in

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bedevil beleaguer besiege embarrass invade overrun perplex surround

STRONG

aggress assail attack badger bug circle compass dog encircle enclose encompass entangle environ girdle harass harry hassle infest nag nudge pester ride ring storm strike

WEAK

drive up the wall fall on fall upon give a bad time give a hard time give one the business give the needle jump on one's case pick on put the squeeze on start in on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clarify clear up explain leave alone please surrender

STRONG

aid assist exclude free help let go lose release support unloose

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.

Construction work in the far east Asian nation is frequently beset by poor planning and project management, as well as design errors, research suggests.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

Stock markets have been beset by commentary comparing current levels, powered by searing tech stocks, to the dotcom era of the late 1990s.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The major contemporary art gathering, dubbed “the Olympics of the art world,” is beset with drama and geopolitical froideur.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Adam Miller said Los Angeles is on a downward trajectory and is beset with problems.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

The climate changes that beset Australia about 45,000 years ago destabilised the ecosystem and made it particularly vulnerable.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

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