1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

set out 1 of 2

verb

Definition of set outnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

setout

2 of 2

noun

ˈset-ˌau̇t How to pronounce setout (audio)
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
In 1961 the social psychologist Stanley Milgram set out to understand how millions of Germans had been complicit in mass murder. — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026 Decades later, Santa discovers the misplaced letter and immediately sets out to make things right. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026 Siegfried sets out on a journey that ultimately teaches him to accept himself, find friendship and discover fun along the way. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026 George eventually accumulated 125,000 acres and set out to create a self-sustaining country estate. — Abby Price, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for set out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set out
  1. describe
  2. layout
  3. portray
  4. formation
  5. depict
  6. format
Verb
  • Said, wearing blue jeans and a sweater, remained expressionless for most of the hourlong hearing in The Hague as presiding Judge Miatta Maria Samba described the inhumane conditions detainees endured at the prison in the capital, Bangui.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The early amphibian is described in a study published today in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, and is an example of how some of the classic traits seen in today’s living frogs and salamanders evolved.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of describe
Noun
  • In flight tests, the tiny drone navigated pitch-black enclosures, mapped unknown room layouts, hugged surface contours, and located exits without a single visual cue.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Yes, thanks to spacious two-queen room layouts and complimentary cribs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of layout
Verb
  • Another poll, commissioned by an independent expenditure group supporting Raman, portrayed the race as a statistical tie, at least initially.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Dostoyevsky’s sniveling devil comes closest to portraying the man chiefly responsible for organizing the Final Solution.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of portray
Noun
  • Why Arizona State’s motion could test KU When an offense sends a receiver sprinting across the formation immediately before the snap, the movement can accomplish several things.
    — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The hour captures Strings and his four-piece acoustic band — mandolin, upright bass, banjo and fiddle — in classic picking session formation, with a setlist that also includes selections from 2021’s Renewal.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of formation
Verb
  • Like the woolly rhino, the Irish elk is depicted on the cave walls of Chauvet in France.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Lizzie and Bridget having a romantic relationship Monster depicts Lizzie and Bridget as forming a romantic relationship, which starts when Bridget becomes a maid for her family.
    — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of depict
Noun
  • The exhibition — which is open to the public until Friday — is to be taken on the road in a rebooted format, aligned with each location.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The video below shows IvyCraft in action across slides, infographics, podcasts, and other content formats.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of format

Browse Nearby Words

set one's teeth on edge
set out
setout
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Set out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20out. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All