dead set

1 of 2

phrase

: firmly determined

The mayor was dead set against [=strongly opposed to] the plan.

She was dead set on [=completely certain about] going to college.

set against

2 of 2

verb

set against; setting against; sets against

: feeling strongly that one does not want (something) or will not do (something)

Everyone was set against going.

He was dead set against the deal.

Examples of dead set in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

The brothers have not been on speaking terms for some time, and William is reportedly dead set against ever reconciling with Harry. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026

At that point, Mayfield was dead set on playing out the final year of his contract without an extension. — Zak Keefer, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Verb

And before the Dodgers opened a three-game set against the Cardinals at Dodger Stadium, Hernández met with the hitting coaches. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

The shots are set against the backdrop of natural landscapes — all mossy trees, lakes, lush lawns, and a white horse making its way into the frame. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for dead set

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette