beset

[ bih-set ]
See synonyms for: besetbesettingbesetment on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),be·set, be·set·ting.
  1. to attack on all sides; assail.

  2. to trouble greatly or grievously; to afflict with mental or physical suffering; harass: The best ideas are often beset by bureaucratic hurdles.Even as he was being beset with disasters, he triumphed.

  1. to surround; hem in: The village was beset on all sides by dense forest.Our work will be beset with dangers.

  2. to set or place upon; bestud: The gold bracelet she found was beset with jewels.

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

Origin of beset

1
First recorded before 1000; from Middle English besetten, Old English besettan. See be-, set

Other words for beset

Other words from beset

  • be·set·ment, noun
  • be·set·ter, noun
  • pre·be·set, verb (used with object), pre·be·set, pre·be·set·ting.
  • un·be·set, adjective

Words Nearby beset

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use beset in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for beset

beset

/ (bɪˈsɛt) /


verb-sets, -setting or -set (tr)
  1. (esp of dangers, temptations, or difficulties) to trouble or harass constantly

  2. to surround or attack from all sides

  1. archaic to cover with, esp with jewels

Derived forms of beset

  • besetter, noun

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