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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.

World champion Norris has been beset by reliability problems this weekend, losing much of second practice to a hydraulic failure and half of final practice with another battery failure.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

The renovation was beset by several delays, pushing back the original deadline from last fall.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

On Friday Miliband is launching a fast-track process for the building of new nuclear power stations, which in the past have been beset with delays, spiralling costs and red tape.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

Some 13% of the loans were in software, a sector that has been beset by investor fears over disruption from artificial intelligence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

The mind is beset by light and space, the kinesthetic novelty of aridity, high temperature, and wind.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.