BESETTING Synonyms: 183 Similar and Opposite Words

besetting 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈse-tiŋ

Definition of besetting

as in obsessive

caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge that woman's besetting need to meddle in the affairs of others

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

besetting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of beset

as in plaguing

to cause persistent suffering to he's been beset by a lack of self-confidence virtually his entire life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in attacking

to take sudden, violent action against the unsuspecting tourists were suddenly beset by robbers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of besetting

Verb

Rodent infestation and mold are among the many problems besetting the 19th-century estate. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2026 Both mother and daughter reflect on the troubles besetting their own family, as the mother tries to write a novel. — Michael Schaub, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026 The Leafs needed an NHL player with injuries besetting their blue line. — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026 To his sons, however, the Party offers meaning and purpose—a powerful countervailing force to the lack of prospects besetting their generation, which had been decimated by the Great War. — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for besetting

Adjective

In fact, Jaissle, with his emotional touchline demeanour and obsessive tactical demands, comes across more as a highly-strung indie-rock songwriter/front man.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Moore plays a shy housewife whose small role in a community theater production transforms her into an obsessive method actor.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of obsessive

Verb

This is the growth paradox plaguing America’s most innovative companies.

— Chris Hale, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
No, this did not come from the athletic department, but the school itself, which put an even bigger spotlight on the problems currently plaguing the Tar Heels football program.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of plaguing

Verb

So too are there similarities to the Brentford side that came up under Thomas Frank, given their set-piece credentials and attacking variety.

— Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Fishback has been aggressively attacking Donalds over his politics and his race while holding rallies across the state drawing crowds of young men motivated by his hard-right campaign promises.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of attacking

Adjective

The actor starred on The Sopranos as Christopher Moltisanti, the cousin of Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano who often ends up in trouble because of his impulsive ways.

— Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
But as with any James Gray film, there are life-altering consequences on the other side of impulsive decision-making for the sake of the American dream.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of impulsive

Verb

That constraint contributes to the housing crises afflicting these seasonal recreation areas.

— Nancy Forster-Holt, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026
Health advocates consider an official definition of ultraprocessed food a key step toward bringing greater scrutiny to meals that are blamed for multiple chronic health problems afflicting Americans.

— Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of afflicting

Verb

Conviser’s case, which was partially dismissed for lack of standing, accused legendary DePaul softball coach Eugene Lenti of verbally and mentally abusing his athletes and physically assaulting a staffer.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026
The case has also received widespread coverage in the US – including on CNN – where Trump has been assaulting DEI policies.

— Rupert Neate, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of assaulting

Verb

Biden weaponized Law Enforcement against his political opponent, while also persecuting many other innocent people.

— New York Times, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Jack Hayford, the founder of the King’s University, in Texas, claimed that the film was persecuting Christians, who only wanted to be treated equally.

— Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026

Definition of persecuting

Verb

Police won’t be raiding movie theaters or restaurants in search of juveniles, according to CMPD.

— Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026
In September of 2022, Spanish police arrested an Irishman suspected of laundering money for the Kinahan organization after raiding a property in Malaga on the Costa del Sol.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of raiding

Browse Nearby Words

besets

besetting

beshrew

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Besetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besetting. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of besetting

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on besetting

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

rigmarole

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes