besetting

A person's besetting sin is a tendency to procrastinate.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Constantly present or continually troubling: "besetting" describes something that persistently afflicts, harasses, or preoccupies a person or group. It often refers to a fault, problem, or temptation that is difficult to overcome or escape.

Usage Examples

• (A persistent fault that troubles him.)
• (A continually present problem.)
• (A constant and troubling fear.)

Advanced Usage

• "besetting sin": a specific, habitual fault or weakness that is hard to avoid.
  • Gossip is her besetting sin, and she regrets it afterwards. (A recurring moral failing.)
• "besetting problem": a recurring or persistent difficulty.
  • The besetting problem of the region is water scarcity. (A chronic issue.)

Variants and Related Words

• Beset (verb): to attack from all sides; to trouble persistently.
  • The village was beset by floods. (Attacked or troubled continuously.)
• Besetment (noun, rare): the state of being beset; a persistent trouble.
  • His besetment by doubts made him indecisive. (The condition of being troubled.)

Synonyms

• Persistent: continuing firmly or obstinately.
• Chronic: (of a problem) long-lasting and difficult to eradicate.
• Haunting: (of a memory or feeling) difficult to forget or ignore.

Related Idioms

• A thorn in one's side: a constant source of annoyance or trouble.
  • The outdated software is a besetting thorn in the IT department. (A persistent problem.)

Notes

• "Besetting" is almost always used as an adjective, typically before a noun (e.g., "besetting sin", "besetting fear"). It carries a negative connotation, implying something that is both pervasive and unwelcome.