The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word BESET
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
B
E
S
E
T
More clues leading to the result BESET
- N Ireland footballer conserving energy in attack
- Remain prepared for plague
- Bloke's bottom bitten by top dog
- European caught in worst attack
- Harry‘s live on TV
- Live group, harassed
- Hem in blouse’s edging fixed
- Exist in a state of readiness for plague
- Torment and ecstasy in finest surroundings
- Surrounded, like European capital in defeat
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "attack on all sides" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case attack on all sides = beset.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does BESET mean?
BESET verb- To surround or hem in.
- (sometimes figurative) To attack or assail, especially from all sides.
- To decorate something with jewels etc.
- Of a ship, to get trapped by ice.