plural set-tos
: a usually brief and vigorous fight or debate
set to; setting to; sets to
Examples of set-to in a Sentence
Noun
they had a brief set-to about money, but they seem to have resolved it
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
The former star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, who was set to star in the new season of ABC’s The Bachelorette until TMZ published a video showcasing an instance of domestic assault involving Taylor, has now publicly addressed ABC’s decision to pull the season off the air.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for set-to
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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
Verb
The pause applies to Iranian oil loaded on ships as of Friday and is set to end April 19.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
The former star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, who was set to star in the new season of ABC’s The Bachelorette until TMZ published a video showcasing an instance of domestic assault involving Taylor, has now publicly addressed ABC’s decision to pull the season off the air.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for set-to
Cite this Entry
“Set-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set-to. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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