as in assistance
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set aside
2 of 2phrase
1
as in dedicate
to keep or intend for a special purpose
He set aside $100 a month for a down payment on a car.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abolish
to put an end to by formal action
The company set aside the old strict dress code and allowed employees to dress a little more casually.
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3
as in dump
to get rid of as useless or unwanted
The professional organizer helped us set aside anything we didn't need or want anymore.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in store
to put (something of future use or value) in a safe or secret place
She set aside her wedding dress in case her own daughter might want to wear it some day.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of set-aside
Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Loeffler said the firms collectively received nearly $1.3 billion in 8(a) set-aside and sole-source federal contracts from fiscal 2021 through 2024, with nearly $1 billion awarded through sole-source contracts.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026
Wu has a budget of $4.8 billion, surely there’s a set-aside for snow clearance.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The credit rating agency believes Brightline will be able to cover an interest payment due in July only by exhausting the money set-aside to make those payments, unless business and train fares pick up more than expected before then.
—Tom Hudson, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Designed to help eligible firms overcome early barriers to government procurement, the program provides access to set-aside and sole-source contracts alongside business development support, with the goal of helping companies build capacity and eventually compete without preference.
—Natalie Madeira Cofield, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The city could then use subcontracting goals or set-asides for certain small contracts to target businesses within those tiers, according to Bawa.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
Hundreds of millions of acres of land in the United States have been taken off the table for housing through land set-asides, Kafkaesque permitting regimes, and the constant threat of litigation.
—James Burling, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
For investors from countries with EB-5 visa backlogs, such as China and India, set-aside EB-5 visas significantly help avoid long delays.
—Sam Silverman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
Should the sales process spill into next year, however, Zaslav’s tax liability picture would improve and the $335 million set-aside would not be needed, according to documents.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Loeffler said the firms collectively received nearly $1.3 billion in 8(a) set-aside and sole-source federal contracts from fiscal 2021 through 2024, with nearly $1 billion awarded through sole-source contracts.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026
Wu has a budget of $4.8 billion, surely there’s a set-aside for snow clearance.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The credit rating agency believes Brightline will be able to cover an interest payment due in July only by exhausting the money set-aside to make those payments, unless business and train fares pick up more than expected before then.
—Tom Hudson, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Designed to help eligible firms overcome early barriers to government procurement, the program provides access to set-aside and sole-source contracts alongside business development support, with the goal of helping companies build capacity and eventually compete without preference.
—Natalie Madeira Cofield, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The city could then use subcontracting goals or set-asides for certain small contracts to target businesses within those tiers, according to Bawa.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
Hundreds of millions of acres of land in the United States have been taken off the table for housing through land set-asides, Kafkaesque permitting regimes, and the constant threat of litigation.
—James Burling, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
For investors from countries with EB-5 visa backlogs, such as China and India, set-aside EB-5 visas significantly help avoid long delays.
—Sam Silverman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set-aside
Noun
-
The fighting has pushed many people into famine, caused a huge displacement crisis and left over 30 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Equally impactful, United Way’s WomenRise program provided $500 in cash assistance per month for one year that gave me the autonomy to meet our most immediate needs.—
Delilah Lopez,
Denver Post,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There's currently no estimate of how much all the improvements will cost, but the city received a $5 million grant to proceed with the planning and design phases.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
As a charter operator, Urban Prep receives federal grants and per-pupil funding from CPS.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Imagine a company town hall where frontline workers ask about capital allocation and middle managers offer ideas on long-term strategy.—
Vicente Reynal,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Race discrimination in allocation of scholarships and internships has been a significant problem.—
Alison Somin,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Republicans’ stance on pesticides has been a key point of contention in negotiations for the federal Farm Bill, which covers everything from food security programs to farm subsidies.—
Thomas Heaton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The economic subsidy continues to support Rodeo 39 and assist the company in recouping a portion of its significant development costs to help ensure Rodeo 39’s long-term viability.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The group announced the new mutual aid market on social media, citing community concerns over rising costs as the motivation behind the move.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Gang violence gripping Port-au-Prince disrupts aid delivery and goods transportation, leaving families in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country with impossible survival choices as the economy contracts for the seventh year.—
Evens Sanon,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Instead of paying people directly, the federal government sent money to the states as block grants.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
-
If the Danish block grant diminishes, Greenlanders may need to regard the American offer as the sole viable economic safety net.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize.—
Staff Reports,
The Providence Journal,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Do advisers recommend Medicaid annuities?—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Lawmakers opted to advance the policy bill and the appropriations bill that allocates the $5 million in existing funding from other accounts to the governor’s desk, acknowledging that school districts have an obligation to educate all students.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Within a day in February, for example, the Legislature passed out a $90 million appropriation to counter the federal government’s block on Medicaid dollars going to Planned Parenthood clinics.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Set-aside.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set-aside. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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