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Definition of setnext
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as in to sit
to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop the hen set for days

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as in to lounge
chiefly dialect to rest on the buttocks or haunches come over and set for a spell

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as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal determined to see the West, she set her car towards the sun and drove off

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set

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noun

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as in faction
a group of people acting together within a larger group the younger set is less likely to volunteer for the church's annual rummage sale

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as in scenery
the array of painted backgrounds and furnishings used to establish the setting in a stage production built sets for the play

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set

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adjective

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of set
Verb
Buying medicine or collecting pensions is difficult for retirees in a country where banks set limits on cash withdrawals and most ATMs are broken or unusable because there’s no electricity. Sarah Moreno updated April 29, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026 But that intangible touchstone status is harder to repeat, even as the new film — set two decades, one global recession, one global pandemic and an ever-mutating social media revolution later — likewise aims to capture the fraught spirit of its moment. Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
That’s come with a new set of challenges for the 24-year-old forward, whom the Knicks have prioritized on defense, primarily using the tireless Josh Hart, and, at times, their top wing stopper in OG Anunoby. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026 Police also reported seizing five suppressors, 58 high-capacity magazines, three sets of body armor and several thousand rounds of ammunition. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Instead, on a set play following a timeout, Knicks star Jalen Brunson was swarmed by multiple defenders and turned the ball over — meaning New York didn’t even get a shot off on its final possession. Tim Rohan, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026 Students from the audience were welcome to take turns making their case at a podium for a set time period. Shannon Watkins, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for set
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set
Verb
  • Most evenings, Mohamed Ismail would sit at his local ‘ahwa, one of the small, no-frills coffee shops that are the cornerstone of social life in Cairo.
    Mirette Magdy, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
  • While Corcoran’s take sits well outside the norms of good personal finance advice, her experience is perhaps unusual.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Keep it simple, stay within your limits, and choose what actually supports you long term.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Documents show both deputies received Skelly conferences — pre-disciplinary hearings afforded to public employees who choose to rebut misconduct allegations.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Steele is now unlikely to rejoin the Cubs’ rotation until after the July All-Star break, Counsell estimated.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The president most recently estimated that the project will cost somewhere between $300 million and $400 million.
    Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Paramount Skydance last year unveiled a new ad format for its Paramount+ streamer that aims to create new value for streaming inventory.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Section Two of the 1965 Voting Rights Act aimed to prevent mapmakers from weakening the voting power of racial minorities by either packing them into one district or spreading them out across too many districts to have an impact.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Padres got a force at second base while Meidroth decided to take off for home.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
  • Unlike many of her peers, Pau decided to maintain a professional day job while pursuing her artistic practice.
    Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • The carrier failed to secure a financial lifeline to continue operating, ending the discount air travel pioneer’s time in the sky, costing some 17,000 jobs and thousands of cheap flights in the market.
    Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 2 May 2026
  • Davis will lead Solbari’s wholesale strategy, building a national network of sales representatives, securing retail partnerships and establishing a seasonal wholesale cadence.
    Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • The spike in fatal crashes during the first three months of 2026 follows an increase in crashes and fatalities attributed to Colorado’s relatively dry, clear road conditions and temperatures above freezing in November and December, which led to motorcyclists extending their riding.
    Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
  • Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani promised to address housing affordability in the city and work to freeze the rent.
    Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • The Spurs led for the entire game and led by as many as 28 points to put the series away on Tuesday.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • More willing to put the collective goal of winning a title above all else.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Set.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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