" besetting "

1: caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge;

  * e.g., " ... that woman's besetting need to meddle in the affairs of others "

•  Synonyms : 

•  compulsive,

•  driven,

•  impulsive,

•  obsessional,

•  obsessive

•  Antonyms : 

• (N/A)

1: to cause persistent suffering to;

  * e.g., " ... he's been beset by a lack of self-confidence virtually his entire life "

•  Synonyms : 

•  afflicting,

•  agonizing,

•  anguishing,

•  bedeviling,

•  besieging,

•  cursing,

•  excruciating,

•  harrowing,

•  persecuting,

•  plaguing,

•  racking,

•  tormenting,

•  torturing

•  Antonyms : 

• (N/A)

2: to take sudden, violent action against;

  * e.g., " ... the unsuspecting tourists were suddenly beset by robbers "

•  Synonyms : 

•  assailing,

•  assaulting,

•  attacking,

•  bushwhacking,

•  charging,

•  descending (on or upon),

•  going in (on),

•  jumping (on),

•  pouncing (on or upon),

•  raiding,

•  rushing,

•  setting on,

•  siccing,

•  storming,

•  striking,

•  trashing,

•  turning (on)

•  Antonyms : 

• (N/A)

1: to cause persistent suffering to;

  * e.g., " ... he's been beset by a lack of self-confidence virtually his entire life "

•  Synonyms : 

•  afflict,

•  agonize,

•  anguish,

•  bedevil,

•  besiege,

•  curse,

•  excruciate,

•  harrow,

•  persecute,

•  plague,

•  rack,

•  torment,

•  torture

•  Antonyms : 

• (N/A)

2: to take sudden, violent action against;

  * e.g., " ... the unsuspecting tourists were suddenly beset by robbers "

•  Synonyms : 

•  assail,

•  assault,

•  attack,

•  bushwhack,

•  charge,

•  descend (on or upon),

•  go in (on),

•  jump (on),

•  pounce (on or upon),

•  raid,

•  rush,

•  set on,

•  sic,

•  storm,

•  strike,

•  trash,

•  turn (on)

•  Antonyms : 

• (N/A)