set (oneself) up as (something)
phrasal verb
set (oneself) up as (something); setting (oneself) up as (something); sets (oneself) up as (something)
1
: to try to make people believe that one is (something)
He sets himself up as a defender of the people, but he's really only interested in getting more power.
2
: to start one's own business
She set herself up as a wedding planner.
Examples of set (oneself) up as (something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Given their status as two of SmackDown’s biggest stars, Orton and McIntyre both appear to be set up as potential WWE Championship challengers in the near future.
—
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
After a quality rookie training camp performance, Wallace was set up as the third inside linebacker entering the season.
—Mike Kaye
july 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2025
Most shortchanged by the script Wen, whose character’s trauma and relationship with her son is set up as a vital part of the narrative, just for her to get confined to the margins of the narrative and for her conflict to resolve with little fanfare.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 28 May 2025
Following Trump's lead, his administration has carried out a dramatic purge of what Congress had set up as independent agencies, firing tens of thousands of employees, even those with civil service protections.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set (oneself) up as (something)
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Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
After a quality rookie training camp performance, Wallace was set up as the third inside linebacker entering the season.
—Mike Kaye
july 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2025
Most shortchanged by the script Wen, whose character’s trauma and relationship with her son is set up as a vital part of the narrative, just for her to get confined to the margins of the narrative and for her conflict to resolve with little fanfare.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 28 May 2025
Following Trump's lead, his administration has carried out a dramatic purge of what Congress had set up as independent agencies, firing tens of thousands of employees, even those with civil service protections.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set (oneself) up as (something)
Cite this Entry
“Set (oneself) up as (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20%28oneself%29%20up%20as%20%28something%29. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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