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 the multi-billion-dollar programme was beset by disagreements between the firms involved -- France's Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which represents Germany and Spain.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

The maker of Hot Wheels, American Girl and Uno has recently confronted a challenging market for toys, beset by tariffs on goods produced overseas and weaker-than-expected demand for Barbie dolls and Fisher-Price preschool products.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

The Czech - whose flashes of brilliance in his young career have been beset by injury - was struggling to move and needed eight match points to close out victory.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard and more star in an eight-part series about a retirement community beset by strange happenings.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Built of stout timber, banded with iron, beset with florin spikes, the door did not appear to be locked.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

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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