besetting

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 even jaded readers will be startled by the scope of the self-organizing tyranny besetting the book world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 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

My terror, as I lay there, of falling ill, and being unfitted for to-morrow, was so besetting, that I wonder it did not disable me of itself.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens