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.

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

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

The world's largest warship has been beset by problems during its deployment in the Middle East, including an earlier breakdown of its toilet system.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

“Corporations are beset by the same harmful tendencies as investors. When they are at their peak, they reach for the sun,” wrote Victor Niederhoffer in his book “Practical Speculation.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 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

She seemed suddenly beset upon by some frantic animation.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

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