beset
/bɪˈset/ (bre, ipa) · /bɪˈset/ (ame, ipa) · /bi-ˈset bē-/ (ame, mw)
beset — adjective
- besetpositive
- besettercomparative
- besettestsuperlative
1. feeling or showing that you are constantly struggling with a lot of problems, wo
feeling or showing that you are constantly struggling with a lot of problems, worries, or difficulties that are hard to escape
The small business was beset by rising costs and falling sales.
was beset by rising costs
Charlotte felt beset by worries about her mother's health.
The project has been beset with delays since the first week.
The Watanabe family found themselves beset by unexpected expenses after the flood.
Even wealthy nations can be beset with serious social problems.
文法句型
be beset by/with [problems/difficulties/doubts]
用法筆記
Predicative only — this adjective does not appear before a noun. Commonly followed by 'by' or 'with'. Distinguish from verb sense 1 (CAUSE TROUBLE), which describes the action of troubling; the adjective describes the resulting state of being troubled.
常見錯誤
beset — verb
- besetpresent simple I / you / we / they
- besetshe / she / it
- besetting-ing form
1. to cause someone or something to experience a lot of problems or difficulties, e
to cause someone or something to experience a lot of problems or difficulties, especially in a way that is hard to stop or escape
The financial crisis beset the entire region for nearly a decade.
beset the entire region
A series of technical failures beset the company's new product launch.
The peace talks remained beset by disagreements between the two sides.
Luis felt that bad luck had beset his family ever since the accident.
Drought has long beset the farming communities in this dry region.
文法句型
beset [someone/something]
be beset by/with [something]
用法筆記
Often appears in the passive voice (be beset by/with). Subject is typically an event or situation (crisis, problems, difficulties), not a person. The active form is more formal and literary.
常見錯誤
2. to surround someone or something on all sides in a threatening or hostile way, e
to surround someone or something on all sides in a threatening or hostile way, especially with the aim of attacking
The fortified castle was beset by enemy soldiers on all sides.
beset by enemy soldiers on all sides
Hikers were beset by a pack of wild dogs on the mountain trail.
The car broke down, and the family was beset by swarms of mosquitoes in the dark.
On the walk home, Raj was suddenly beset by three masked figures demanding his wallet.
文法句型
beset [someone/something]
be beset by [attackers/dangers]
用法筆記
This sense retains the original concrete meaning of physical surrounding and attack, but can also be used figuratively (e.g. beset by mosquitoes). Often appears in historical or narrative writing. Less commonly used in everyday speech compared to sense 1 (CAUSE TROUBLE).