Word
begets
US/bɪˈɡɛts/
UK/bɪɡˈɛts/
Definition
v. to cause something to happen or to create something new. You often see it when one bad thing leads to another.
v. to cause, produce, or give rise to something, originally to father a child. Now chiefly literary for one condition or action producing another.
Examples
“Violence begets more violence in the end.”
“Poor planning begets delays that frustrate both workers and customers.”
“In his lecture, the historian argued that unchecked power begets resentment that eventually undermines the very order it claims to protect.”
Examples
simple
“Violence begets more violence in the end.”
contextual
“Poor planning begets delays that frustrate both workers and customers.”
complex
“In his lecture, the historian argued that unchecked power begets resentment that eventually undermines the very order it claims to protect.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “begets” in context.
Verb
01. beget complacency
“Prolonged success begets complacency in even disciplined organisations.”
verb + noun
02. beget corruption
“Absolute power begets corruption without strict accountability.”
verb + noun
03. beget despair
“Chronic unemployment begets despair in marginalised communities.”
verb + noun
04. beget hatred
“Dehumanising rhetoric begets hatred that lingers for generations.”
verb + noun
05. beget resentment
“Perceived favouritism begets resentment among colleagues.”
verb + noun
06. beget violence
“Unchecked repression begets violence and further destabilises the region.”
verb + noun
07. fear begets hatred
“In polarised societies, fear begets hatred of the unfamiliar.”
08. poverty begets crime
“Without opportunity, poverty begets crime and social breakdown.”
09. power begets arrogance
“Unscrutinised power begets arrogance in political leadership.”
10. success begets success
“In elite sport, success begets success through confidence and funding.”
11. violence begets violence
“History shows that violence begets violence rather than lasting peace.”
Usage
Third-person singular present of 'beget'; transitive and takes a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“He hypothesised that a negative feedback loop was at play, where the experience of rejection begets more withdrawal, which in turn intensifies feelings of rejection.” “Distance begets latency; each kilometer of satellite separation adds more microseconds of latency, and those microseconds matter.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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