SET OUT Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

set out 1 of 2

verb

Definition of set out

as in to describe

to give a representation or account of in words in his inaugural address, the president set out his vision for the nation over the next four years

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

setout

2 of 2

noun

ˈset-ˌau̇t

as in layout

the way in which something is sized, arranged, or organized the setout of the stations at the polling place was a little confusing

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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 out

Verb

As the defendant, the union had no input on BNSF’s request, Banks said, while adding his union was happy the parties were able to resolve their differences within the framework set out by the union contract. — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026 From creators Liz Heldens and Matt Ward, the as-yet-untitled series follows Heidi (Banks), who is fresh off a messy divorce and sets out to secure a lively second act for herself and her kids. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 July 2026 In the mid-19th century, a family of Dutch-Afrikaans homesteaders sets out to cross the inhospitable terrain of the Kalahari Desert along with their backer, a boorish Brit whose avarice and bigotry loom large over the journey. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 July 2026 Instead of offering clothes ideal for a beach vacation, Shade New York set out to create everyday staples. — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for set out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for set out

Verb

Fars described the sites as a forward headquarters for US Central Command’s land forces.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
The first victim — identified Wednesday by the medical examiner as 79-year-old Clifford Boisa of Sutter County — has been described in news reports as the boat captain’s brother.

— Michael McGough Updated July 16, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of describe

Noun

Buyers will be able to tailor the interior with exclusive leather, Alcantara, and a choice of Comfort or Racing seats, both featuring six vertical grooves as a subtle nod to the six-speed layout.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 July 2026
Likewise, the layout of the rooms could change and because the AI would generate the video separately from the audio, the lips would need to be manually matched, frame by frame, to the pre-recorded voice tracks.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of layout

Verb

Interpreting the story as theater, said actor Manos Pintzis, who portrayed Odysseus in the local production, helps children discover mythology in a way books alone cannot.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
The character portrayed by the star of The Devil Wears Prada is the wife of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, who spends ten years fighting in the Trojan War and another ten trying to return home.

— Alessia Ferri, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026

Definition of portray

Noun

Military planners increasingly view active counter-drone systems as essential for protecting armored formations near the front lines.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
In school, students are placed in close, sustained proximity with peers for years, and the conditions for friendship formation are essentially engineered.

— Wes Moss, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of formation

Verb

Dalí included references to major events in Western history; for example, the Ten of Swords card depicts the stabbing of Julius Caesar, while the Queen of Cups is a jokey vandalism of François Clouet’s portrait Elisabeth of Austria, Queen of France.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
The discovery of the painting, depicting the interior of Amsterdam’s Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and likely by Dutch Golden Age painter Hendrick van der Burgh, has an unusual history, according to De Telegraaf, which first reported the news.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 13 July 2026

Definition of depict

Noun

An increasing number of users around the world are also opting for their models’ open-source format and lower operating costs relative to Silicon Valley’s offerings.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
With the rise in second-screen watching and secondary content — such as reactions, predictions, commentary, and styling formats — before and after the matches, the opportunity for brands has been enormous.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 16 July 2026

Definition of format

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set one's teeth on edge

set out

setout

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“Set out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20out. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of set out

verb

noun

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