1
as in to put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
set up tables in the living room for the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
set up a scholarship fund for deserving students from the inner city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to erect
to fix in an upright position
set up a post from which to hang the sign
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to build
to form by putting together parts or materials
set up the prefabricated shed by following the instructions
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to heal
to restore to a healthy condition
don't worry, the doctor will set you up in no time
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in layout
the way in which something is sized, arranged, or organized
the textbook's setup calls for a list of questions at the end of each chapter
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2
as in sequence
the way objects in space or events in time are arranged or follow one another
changed the setup of the living room furniture several times before being satisfied
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of set up
Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
Like the best Marx Brothers routines, these books set up a premise that unravels, with escalating absurdity, while kid listeners are given the satisfaction of knowing more than the story’s narrators.
—Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
Chefs to Fish for Their Dinner (and More) Chopped Castaways is an intense, Survivor-style competition show that pairs the classic mystery basket setup with physical challenges, foraging, and survival skills.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for set up
Verb
Now, another industrial company moved in about six months ago and set up a waste recycling plant for soil.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
Like the best Marx Brothers routines, these books set up a premise that unravels, with escalating absurdity, while kid listeners are given the satisfaction of knowing more than the story’s narrators.
—Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
Equipment can run into tens of thousands of dollars per setup, and each robot typically needs a dedicated operator.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
Chefs to Fish for Their Dinner (and More) Chopped Castaways is an intense, Survivor-style competition show that pairs the classic mystery basket setup with physical challenges, foraging, and survival skills.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for set up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set up
Verb
-
The noise levels in the arena reached epic proportions as the Hawks put the clamps on the Knicks.—
Lauren Williams,
AJC.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Coulombe struck out Austin Wells for the second out, but from there Cora gave the ball to righty Greg Weissert, who allowed the go-ahead two-run pinch hit single to Cody Bellinger and then another RBI single to Judge to put New York ahead 4-2.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Finally, in overcoming this vexing moment, the two would establish a painterly repartee that altered the trajectory of their own work and, by extension, modern art.—
Susan Tallman,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
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Through this exhibition program, which shed a light on a generation of LA artists, The Box quickly established itself as a venturesome gallery and one of the most important in the city.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The changing telework fight Last year, unions regularly held large rallies opposing the return-to-office order; an anonymous group of state workers erected billboards along Interstate 80 criticizing the governor.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Today’s battle may be over erecting a stop sign.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Throughout the 1980s, in the early days of building hospice care into the American healthcare system, those of us on the frontlines helped shape what would become the Medicare hospice benefit.—
Tom Koutsoumpas,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
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Perhaps the latter must be indulged a bit to build a platform for the former—forests sometimes need to burn in order to thrive.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With its handmade stop-motion art style and heartfelt storytelling, the game honors cultural memory and centers a Black woman’s healing journey with exceptional craft in this meaningful exploration of personal and collective weight.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The spa The Japanese love of bathing goes far beyond taking a quick shower, involving long hours spent soaking in healing hot spring waters.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Released in the early ‘90s, the double-sided wristwatch shows a conventional chronograph layout with three registers on one side and an oversized, one-minute, multimeter scale on the other.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
25 Apr. 2026
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There’s space to spread out, too, with notably generous layouts and extra-large bathroom vanities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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One final metric that explains the nature of Bromley’s style is their passing sequences.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Kormákur takes full advantage of the country’s dramatic landscapes and dense bushlands, the latter making ideal terrain for Sasha’s initial flight, a pulse-racing sequence that has her sprinting through the trees like a blur.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Take pleasure in the richness and history of this magnificent hotel situated between two lakes and overlooking Interlaken’s central green.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
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For more than a year, city officials have touted Washington Square Park, situated near the city’s streetcar line, as the ideal home for the Royals.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Set up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20up. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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