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
Dancer Tori Evans, who performed on Swift's record-setting Eras Tour, is stirring controversy on social media after sharing her attire for the pop star's recent wedding at Madison Square Garden. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 6 July 2026 During evening blackouts, residents bang pots and pans, take to the streets to protest, or set the trash piling on the streets on fire. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Noun
The doubling on this set looks like glasses overflowing with red wine and Sprite. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 5 July 2026 Djokovic won all three, and this was by far the most comfortable, the only one that did not go to five sets. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Adjective
Unlike dining at a restaurant or ordering an Uber, the etiquette of tipping at sea can be confusing, with varying policies and pre-set service charges. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 3 July 2026 The cards are often marketed as having 0% interest for a set period of time. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 July 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
  • David Perno hobbles from his golf cart to the bench at Clarke Central’s football field and sits to watch practice start.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
  • The new 6th Street Bridge, hailed as a civic landmark just steps away, was promptly stripped of its wiring by vandals and now sits pitch black at night.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of sit
Verb
  • The Kings chose to hold Emanuel Sharp, Adam Flagler and Jonathan Mogbo out of Monday’s game, but Acuff, Clifford and Cardwell returned to the lineup after sitting out Sunday’s win over Golden State.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
  • If an island getaway is favored, there are plenty of options across the globe to choose from, all with pristine beaches and seaside charm.
    — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of choose
Verb
  • It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
  • Researchers don’t know yet what exactly causes MS, a condition that is estimated to affect 1 million people in the country.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
Definition of estimate
Verb
  • Andrew Malick, who specializes in urban apartment construction aimed at moderate-income residents, agreed that the flat stated rents with the concessions essentially mean lower rents.
    — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026
  • In an era where youth sports can cost parents thousands of dollars, a new no-cost league in the historic Northeast neighborhoods launched by the Kansas City Current aims to break down the financial barrier.
    — PJ Green July 11, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
Definition of aim
Verb
  • Locals have spotted groups of people in Korea jerseys huddled together, trying to decide what to order at In-N-Out.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • This World Cup, a bunch of people decided to gamble millions on whether soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo would cry during a match.
    — Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of decide
Verb
  • Millions of homeowners who secured ultra-low mortgage rates before the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in 2022 are reluctant to sell because doing so would likely mean taking on a much more expensive mortgage.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Schabel’s follow-up, the literary adaptation Before Night Falls (2000), also premiered in Venice, winning a special Jury Prize and the Best Actor Silver Lion for lead Javier Bardem, who would go on to secure a Best Actor Oscar nom for the same role.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2026
Definition of secure
Verb
  • But the freeze covers only about 28% of the total housing stock in the city, and critics allege that freezing rents will only make the housing shortage worse.
    — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 10 July 2026
  • Xinhua said the factory’s owner and managers were arrested and the company’s accounts were frozen.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of freeze
Verb
  • In his fifth-inning at-bat, Stephenson was on the other side of two successful challenges by Rutschman that put him down 1-2 in the count instead of up 3-0.
    — C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • Go on, put the 131-cube (2,147 cc) monster engine into that one.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 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 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on set

Nglish: Translation of set for Spanish Speakers

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