1
as in puts
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in erects
to fix in an upright position
set up a post from which to hang the sign
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in builds
to form by putting together parts or materials
set up the prefabricated shed by following the instructions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in heals
to restore to a healthy condition
don't worry, the doctor will set you up in no time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 sets up
That sets up the quest at the end of the season.
—
Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026
This sets up as a good draft for receivers, too.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
His win sets up a November midterm election that Democrats believe, perhaps more than at any time in a generation, is within reach.
—Nik Popli, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
That sets up so many other aspects of this offense.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Exactly where this storm sets up and tracks will determine where the snow and ice will be, according to AccuWeather.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
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
Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026
This sets up as a good draft for receivers, too.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
His win sets up a November midterm election that Democrats believe, perhaps more than at any time in a generation, is within reach.
—Nik Popli, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
That sets up so many other aspects of this offense.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Exactly where this storm sets up and tracks will determine where the snow and ice will be, according to AccuWeather.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets up
Verb
-
That ratio puts the live-action series early in its journey through the source material.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The light-catching final result puts an frosty twist on the glazed donut nail trend.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Last year, people searching for missing relatives founds piles of shoes and other clothing, as well as bone fragments at what authorities later said was a Jalisco cartel recruitment and training site.—
Fabiola Sanchez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Last year, people searching for missing relatives founds piles of shoes and other clothing, as well as bone fragments, at what authorities later said was a Jalisco cartel recruitment and training site.—
Garrett Haake,
NBC news,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The university erects a study tent inside K-Ville with desks and power strips to charge laptops and phones.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
This approach still erects a financial barrier for the hundreds of thousands of San Diego County residents who have supported Balboa Park institutions for generations.—
Judy Gradwohl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Look for integrity; excitement seldom builds partnership.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
August 23 – September 22 Progress builds through every conversation today.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Garza, Queta’s primary understudy while Nikola Vucevic’s fractured ring finger heals, continued the trend early in the second quarter, converting three layups in a three-minute span.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
-
That admission runs counter to the tidy grief narrative most people carry around — the idea that time heals in a straight line.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The book effectively situates them against the backdrop of seismic developments such as Title IX in the time of the NWFL, which didn’t exist long enough or develop enough of a following to turn a profit, in contrast to the juggernaut NFL on the men’s side.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The film also situates the Eraserheads within the broader context of Philippine society, exploring how their music became bound up with the nation’s identity during a period of sharp political division.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The measure, which passed on the consent calendar as its second reading, establishes protections to ensure that city facilities and contracts are not used to facilitate discrimination, unlawful detention, or the criminalization of individuals based on immigration status.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Parent voters must provide additional identification or documentation that establishes themselves as the parent, legal guardian or temporary custodian of a child enrolled in the school.—
Hope Moses,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That raises serious concerns about privacy, dignity, and the well-being of kids who just want to belong and participate like their peers.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The Booker plan also raises taxes on the wealthy as a partial offset for its costs.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sets up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets%20up. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
