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Definition of setnext
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as in to sit
to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop the hen set for days

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

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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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set

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noun

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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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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

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adjective

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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
Matheus Cunha’s raking ball to set Bryan Mbeumo free was outstanding in the context of the game, but there was a temptation to wonder whether Branthwaite’s extra speed would have snuffed out the threat before Mbeumo was able to feed Sesko. Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026 After a day of perfecting your pop-ups, take a soothing dip in the property’s infinity pool, set amidst lush greens for a truly relaxing scene. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
The researchers found a set of four globular clusters in the Perseus Cluster, a group of thousands of galaxies immersed in a cloud of gas and one of the most massive objects in the universe. Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026 Unsurprisingly, a new Ghostface shows up on set and begins picking off both the cast and their real-life counterparts. Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Organizations can communicate using secure messages that disappear after a set period. IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2026 There is no set timeline for when a plan could be approved at this point. Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for set
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set
Verb
  • Because for all the hype, Austin’s charms don't sit obviously at the surface.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Rows of tables were filled with competitors sitting two-by-two, heads down, hands moving quickly but quietly as volunteers paced the aisles.
    Lia Picard, AJC.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Having support outside the education system to flag early reading difficulties is a step in the right direction, but choosing the right screening tool is key, said Devin Kearns, an early literacy professor at North Carolina State University.
    MAKIYA SEMINERA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
  • The jurists would need to choose a successor who meets the qualifications stipulated in the constitution.
    Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Fed officials in their latest economic projections from December estimated just one rate cut for 2026, but investors widely expect Warsh to push for more if he’s confirmed by the Senate to succeed Chair Jerome Powell in May when his term at the helm of the central bank ends.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
  • However, how many of them actually come to be inhabited remains a great unknown, with deeper questions — like how many of them turn into technologically advanced civilizations — requiring us to estimate further unknowns atop them.
    Big Think, Big Think, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • That was exactly the kind of tone-setter Arlington Catholic aimed for, understanding the urgency at hand.
    Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
  • The company has also worked with the Air Force Research Laboratory on the Affordable Rapid Missile Demonstrator program, which aims to prove rapid design and production of complete missile systems.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Carrick ignored it, deciding not to change a formula up front that has ended up producing five wins and a draw from his first six matches back in the dugout.
    Ian Irving, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • The courtroom erupted as the judge and lawyers tried to decide which charges Cox was self representing, and who needed to receive the motions.
    Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Our guiding principle throughout this process has been to secure a transaction that maximizes the value of our iconic assets and our century-old studio while delivering as much certainty as possible for our investors.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 2026
  • And if bankers became worried that Paramount was too leveraged, the tech mogul agreed to put in more money in order to secure the bank financing.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The hearings stem from Mayor Zohran Mamdani's campaign pledge to freeze rent, build affordable housing and crack down on bad landlords.
    Naomi Ruchim, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
  • This condensation can freeze and block the flow of fuel, rendering your car incapable of starting.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The Shibaura location puts the property at the forefront of Tokyo's waterfront development, with easy access to both Haneda Airport and the city center.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Bam Adebayo put together a strong performance for the Heat, finishing with 29 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and one steal in 37 minutes.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Set.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

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