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

Some real-estate experts contend, however, that institutions shelling out millions to underwrite a property are already dead set on recouping their investments. — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 19 July 2026

The Offspring are dead set on making history — in a rather unusual way. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026

Verb

Their return is set against a backdrop of royal drama and a longstanding rift within the family that is far from repaired. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

That came to fruition for him in a game setting against Washington. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for dead set

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