besetting

American  

[bih-set-ing] / bɪˈsɛt ɪŋ /

adjective

1. constantly assailing or obsessing, as with temptation.

   a besetting sin.

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besetting British  

/ bɪˈsɛtɪŋ /

adjective

1. tempting, harassing, or assailing (esp in the phrase besetting sin )

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Etymology

Origin of besetting

First recorded in 1540–50; beset + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Unfortunately, sloppy handling of details is one of two chief weaknesses besetting “The Epic History of Macaroni and Cheese.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

The findings suggest kids have been caught in the crossfire of simultaneous immigration and housing crises besetting the city.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 1, 2023

He also followed up on prior deals to provide arms and training to regional powers while adroitly sidestepping the deadly frictions currently besetting the Middle East.

From Washington Times • Oct. 26, 2023

Another foe besetting both Ukrainian and Russian forces is a more elemental force — the mud that follows winter’s end, transforming wide swaths of the front line into swamps of brown ooze.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2023

However, the difficulties besetting our task are so great that we cannot hope for more than tentative and incomplete answers.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

Related Words

• enthusiastic
• irresistible
• passionate
• uncontrollable