Definitions

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.

But it was always clear to any discerning viewer that these were the overcompensations of a man beset by eternal emptiness.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

Bass was also beset with challenges, being an incumbent in a city beset with problems.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday distanced himself from an alleged plot to sabotage investigations into his entourage and Socialist party that has intensified pressure on a government already beset by legal woes.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

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

Slant is beset upon by all the transports of terror at the prospect.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Vocabulary lists containing beset

Beowulf

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"Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou

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Beowulf vocabulary

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