set against

phrasal 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 set against in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Markarian designer Alexandra O’Neill created a design that features a delicate garland stripe of winter berries and alternating stars set against a muted sage backdrop that is reminiscent of winter foliage. —Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Dec. 2025

During this time, his vibrant photos of people set against backdrops of seaside towns, village fairs and public swimming pools captured the attention of an international fan base and celebrated the quirks and intricacies of everyday British life. —Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025

Prior to his death, Gehry was working on one of his most ambitious projects, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, with a facade that looks like a range of steel tubes set against one another. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 7 Dec. 2025

The mile-long walk to the South Beach Park Pavilion was dominated by the gentle swishing of lapping waves and the occasional 'good morning' to a fellow early riser, all set against a palette of hazy pinks, oranges, and yellows gradually unfolding above the horizon. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025

Rhymes for set against

• recommenced
• recompensed
• commenced
• condensed
• dispensed
• expensed
• incensed
• unfenced
• fenced
• sensed
• tensed