besetting

My besetting fear was that I couldn't count on her obtuseness.

For all the agitation that must have been besetting him, his manner was serene as ever.

For the besetting irresoluteness of the Gumthorpes is consuming him.

But if a quick temper was Roger's besetting sin, pig-headedness was Ernest's.

Diderot was more free from this besetting weakness than any of his contemporaries.

Like the State, dignity is Mrs. Swiggs' weakness—her besetting sin.

This "rejoicing in iniquity" is the besetting sin of idle people.

No doubt, dormant within me lies every besetting sin, every human failing.

The besetting temptation of the free lance is to pamper himself.

Indolence was his besetting sin; and his will was untutored.