1
as in puts
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
set up tables in the living room for the party
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in founds
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
set up a scholarship fund for deserving students from the inner city
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3
as in erects
to fix in an upright position
set up a post from which to hang the sign
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4
as in builds
to form by putting together parts or materials
set up the prefabricated shed by following the instructions
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5
as in heals
to restore to a healthy condition
don't worry, the doctor will set you up in no time
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sets up
The finale also sets up for Boris to return in future seasons.
—
Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Caleb Femi’s Poor (2020) sets up a visual contrast between exterior shots of the cold geometric grid of the North Peckham Estate, and close-up interiors with dancing.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
The episode also sets up some hints about what’s to come next.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Anderson sets up their tumultuous familyhood and the film jumps off after everything changes over the time span of the 16 years.
—Essence, 18 Sep. 2025
Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Caleb Femi’s Poor (2020) sets up a visual contrast between exterior shots of the cold geometric grid of the North Peckham Estate, and close-up interiors with dancing.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
The episode also sets up some hints about what’s to come next.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Anderson sets up their tumultuous familyhood and the film jumps off after everything changes over the time span of the 16 years.
—Essence, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets up
Verb
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The driver then puts vehicle in drive, dragging officer about 100 yards with his arm inside the car.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Tonga has missed the past three games, which puts his availability for Sunday’s Wild Card showdown with the Chargers in significant doubt.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the gun has more limited ammunition compared to semi-automatic pistols that can carry 10 to 17 founds or more.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
28 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Pitt’s 15-episode season, simple premise, empathetic performances, and weekly release schedule, combined with a focus on ruthlessly realistic competence, erects a new benchmark for what good TV looks like in the streaming era.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Alex Rafalowicz, executive director of that initiative, told me the idea for a treaty builds on an International Court of Justice decision earlier this year that held nations legally responsible for curbing climate-heating pollution.—
John D. Sutter,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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The waste generated by the 3D printed builds is deposited into casts resembling large Leggo bricks.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Because if medicine heals, education transforms.—
Dr. Victor Raúl Castillo Mantilla,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
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That joy is part of your path, and that laughter heals.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Brands latest portrait follows Washington from early life through his maturation as a general and leader, and situates the first president among his many allies and rivals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
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Dante situates it on a mountain rising out of an empty sea.—
Claudia Roth Pierpont,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This opening scene establishes a human, forgiving tone for a movie in which we are often encouraged to laugh with our heroes but never at them.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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First, a catalyst guides the molecule through an asymmetric step that establishes its chirality.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That extraordinary footage, along with video shot by bystanders and a 3D model created by CNN of the confrontation, shows Good and her wife challenging ICE officers – but also raises new questions about Ross’s tactics and decision to use deadly force.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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In a statement, Stanford student and Drop the Charges organizer Mark Allen Cu said the case raises broader questions about free speech and dissent on campus.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sets up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets%20up. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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