set-to

1 of 2

noun

plural set-tos
: a usually brief and vigorous fight or debate

set to

2 of 2

verb

set to; setting to; sets to

intransitive verb

1
: to begin actively and earnestly
2
: to begin fighting

Examples of set-to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Into this unholy mess blunders Juan (Juan Amador), bearing the gushing stigmata of a violent set-to in a Sacramento bar. Reed Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2023 His truest, ugliest self tends to emerge in his increasingly frequent set-tos with Linda, whose impatience with his documentary persona gradually wears through even her considerable acting ability. Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Sep. 2023 The flashpoint for those set-tos was TCC’s purchase of two large, derelict properties on the edge of town. Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2023
Verb
Annette and Ben’s daughter, Matilda (Hiba Ahmed), who’s around eight, has been cast in a big-budget costume drama, where she’s set to play the daughter of the main character, who’s being portrayed by a glamorous Italian movie star named Alicia (Matilda Lutz). Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Mar. 2024 Hudgens, along with Julianne Hough, is set to host the The Oscars Red Carpet Show ahead of Hollywood’s big night. Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024 The government is set to discuss the measures with unions representing government workers on Tuesday. Annabelle Timsit, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 Bidding for Monorail Music's auction is set to close on Thursday. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 Unchecked, says Shah, solar power is set to make the situation worse. Fred Pearce, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2024 Most of the rest of us are set to repeat the biannual dance. TIME, 9 Mar. 2024 They’re set to host a pair of Vultures listening experience parties at Phoenix’s Footprint Center (March 10) and San Francisco’s Chase Center (March 12) before making their live performance debut on Thursday (March 14) at Rolling Loud California. Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 9 Mar. 2024 Hamm is set to portray Monty Miller, a titan of the Texas oil industry who has a long personal and professional relationship with Tommy Norris (Thornton). Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'set-to.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1743, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of set-to was circa 1525

Dictionary Entries Near set-to

Cite this Entry

“Set-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set-to. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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