set 1 of 3

verb

ˈset How to pronounce set (audio)
Definition of setnext
1
as in to sit
to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop the hen set for days

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2
as in to choose
to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority set a date for the wedding

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3
as in to estimate
to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding fire losses were set at a million dollars

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4
as in to lounge
chiefly dialect to rest on the buttocks or haunches come over and set for a spell

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5
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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6
as in to decide
to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of finally set some plans for the luncheon

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7
as in to secure
to put securely in place or in a desired position had the jeweler set the diamond again

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8
as in to freeze
to turn from a liquid into a substance resembling jelly the gelatin is just starting to set now

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9
as in to put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position set a book on the table

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10
as in to harden
to become physically firm or solid the concrete must set completely before anyone can walk on it

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set

2 of 3

noun

1
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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2
as in pack
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially they rarely associate with anyone outside their social set

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3
as in cluster
a number of things considered as a unit a set of tools

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4
as in type
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic the next set of job applicants had far more education and practical experience

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5
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

3 of 3

adjective

1
as in go
being in a state of fitness for some experience or action we're all set to go

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2
as in stuck
firmly positioned in place and difficult to dislodge that rock is really set in the hillside

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3
as in determined
fully committed to achieving a goal set on being the first in her family to graduate from college

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4
as in certain
having been established and usually not subject to change the library is only open during set hours

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5
as in specific
of a particular or exact sort international law has set rules for the treatment of prisoners of war

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6
as in deliberate
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing it was not my set purpose to cause trouble for anyone

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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
Underneath, these wide-leg jeans are timeless, comfortable, and easy to walk in—and with a satin blouse like this one from Aritizia, you’ll be set for wherever your stroll takes you. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Oct. 2026 When delivery of the additional aircraft is complete (set for the end of 2026), Taiwan will then operate a fleet of more than 200 or so. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
Recent studies have proposed that these fluctuations are not purely random but occur within what is known as a chaotic attractor — a set of possible storm states within which the hurricane can evolve unpredictably. — Chanh Kieu, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026 Each Thursday-Saturday pairing features two completely different set lists, with no songs repeated between nights. — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Nvidia on Monday unveiled its Open Agent Safety Platform to keep autonomous agents within set boundaries. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026 Currently, there is no set percentage of revenue that safety net clinics must spend on patient services. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for set
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set
  1. sit
  2. choose
  3. estimate
  4. aim
  5. decide
  6. secure
  7. freeze
  8. put
Verb
  • The scale of the award also shows where the manufacturing bottleneck can sit inside a missile program.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Hartnett Holder & Co restaurant offers a children’s menu, and the hotel provides cots, baby monitors and a baby sitting service if required.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of sit
Verb
  • Guests often choose the property for its proximity to Hanifaru Bay, famed for its seasonal gatherings of manta rays.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Reher said buyers should look at conditions in their target market before choosing whether to borrow or pay cash.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of choose
Verb
  • Its price is estimated between £35,000-55,000 ($46,000-72,500).
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The University of Iowa in March estimated by the end of 2026 there will be 21,700 new cancer diagnoses in the state and 6,400 new cancer deaths.
    — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of estimate
Verb
  • The second, Stillpoint, aims to release and restore calm with a deep oil-free massage, along with rocking compressions, assisted stretches, and Kansa wand techniques.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
  • And the most recent announcement that’s set to be released in the first quarter of 2027 is the Shockwave, an electric enduro aimed squarely at riders who'd rather spend their weekends throwing a bike at dirt than commuting through traffic.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of aim
Verb
  • Heading into the midterm elections, AI now ranks as a key issue in races that will help decide control of both chambers of Congress.
    — Jeff Masonand Michael Shepard Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • This feels more like the 2008 financial crisis where the government decided a cash-infusion could help stabilize the market, this time in the form of a television agreement that leads to more teams making the postseason.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of decide
Verb
  • The bet runs against the massive investment pouring into AI infrastructure, as technology companies race to secure the computing power needed to develop and run increasingly advanced AI models.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But equally rewarding are works by artists who are still being discovered, who haven’t already secured their place in art history.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of secure
Verb
  • As a result of the layoffs and mass cancellation of contracts in early 2025, millions of NIH websites have been effectively frozen for nearly 18 months.
    — Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Cuts are planned to come, in part, from freezing wages for public sector workers like teachers.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of freeze
Verb
  • Its compact design puts significant emphasis on accurate pointing without adding substantial mass.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The fact is, surveillance of women's intimate health data puts them at risk.
    — Sparkle Rainey Tribune News Service, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of put

Phrases Containing set

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sessions
set
set about
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Cite this Entry

“Set.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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