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
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
With a host of famous foodie alums watching on, including Charlotte’s own Jamie Lynch and Eric Adjepong (who was here in 2024 to host the Charlotte StrEATs Festival), the city — and the Carolinas’ food culture — is set to capture nationwide attention.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
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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
Other guest cohosts set to fill in for Griffin over the months ahead include comedian Whitney Cummings, former View cohost Abby Huntsman, and controversial View alum Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who publicly slammed the program and Behar at the top of 2025.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
With a host of famous foodie alums watching on, including Charlotte’s own Jamie Lynch and Eric Adjepong (who was here in 2024 to host the Charlotte StrEATs Festival), the city — and the Carolinas’ food culture — is set to capture nationwide attention.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 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 28 Feb. 2026.
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