set 1 of 3

verb

ˈset How to pronounce set (audio)
Definition of setnext
1
as in to sit
to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop the hen set for days

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2
as in to choose
to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority set a date for the wedding

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3
as in to estimate
to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding fire losses were set at a million dollars

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4
as in to lounge
chiefly dialect to rest on the buttocks or haunches come over and set for a spell

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5
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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6
as in to decide
to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of finally set some plans for the luncheon

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7
as in to secure
to put securely in place or in a desired position had the jeweler set the diamond again

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8
as in to freeze
to turn from a liquid into a substance resembling jelly the gelatin is just starting to set now

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9
as in to put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position set a book on the table

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10
as in to harden
to become physically firm or solid the concrete must set completely before anyone can walk on it

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set

2 of 3

noun

1
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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2
as in pack
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially they rarely associate with anyone outside their social set

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3
as in cluster
a number of things considered as a unit a set of tools

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4
as in type
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic the next set of job applicants had far more education and practical experience

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5
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

3 of 3

adjective

1
as in go
being in a state of fitness for some experience or action we're all set to go

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2
as in stuck
firmly positioned in place and difficult to dislodge that rock is really set in the hillside

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3
as in determined
fully committed to achieving a goal set on being the first in her family to graduate from college

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4
as in certain
having been established and usually not subject to change the library is only open during set hours

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5
as in specific
of a particular or exact sort international law has set rules for the treatment of prisoners of war

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6
as in deliberate
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing it was not my set purpose to cause trouble for anyone

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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
Concern over a more protracted conflict has implications for inflation and, as a result, will fall into the in-tray of the interest rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), led by new Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 July 2026 And goaltender Unai Simón set a World Cup record of 650 minutes without allowing a goal until Belgium scored in the 41st minute of their quarterfinal game. — ABC News, 13 July 2026
Noun
The actress reacts to Nolan’s story about the crew giving her a standing ovation on set. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026 Keep the cutest butterflies and ladybugs close to you with this creative set. — Odeya Pinkus, InStyle, 19 July 2026
Adjective
View gallery - 7 images For decades, basketball training technology has relied on repetition and pre-set programming modes. — Shirl Leigh july 13, New Atlas, 13 July 2026 Unlike years past, where players had to rack up as many homers as possible in a specific amount of time, each player this year will start the rounds with a set number of swings. — Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for set
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set
  1. sit
  2. choose
  3. estimate
  4. aim
  5. decide
  6. secure
  7. freeze
  8. put
Verb
  • Greenstein’s brother and sister conducted the ceremony, and at the reception, everyone sat at tables named for Italian directors and feasted on dishes like linguine with baby squid and soused trout by chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo.
    — Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
  • Of more pressing concern is the man who now sits atop the Rangers’ pay structure, sharp-shooting wing and former Vegas Golden Knight Pavel Dorofeyev, who signed a seven-year deal which carries an average annual value of $11 million.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 15 July 2026
Definition of sit
Verb
  • Eustaquio chooses to cross into a central area and Bosnia clear the ball, but the idea — to draw opponents out and create an overload in one area — was sound.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Vernon Vernon is known as the trail capital of British Columbia, and hikers, cyclists, and mountain bikers have hundreds of miles of trails to choose from.
    — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026
Definition of choose
Verb
  • VanFleet, 29, said three contractors quoted about $40,000 to replace the home’s rotting siding and aging windows, while another estimated $6,000 to install a basic heating and cooling unit.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Taken together, the commission estimates around 45% of dementia cases globally are potentially modifiable if these risks are addressed.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
Definition of estimate
Verb
  • Burnham wants to continue reducing net migration and voted in support of a bill that aims to further cut channel crossings and direct people to safer, legal routes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • Maybe more, as Argentina aims to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles since Brazil 64 years ago.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Definition of aim
Verb
  • Sebastian Reader, a 28-year-old from London, has long been fascinated by American culture and decided to make a three-month trip out of the World Cup.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • During that time, board members toured multiple potential locations before ultimately deciding not to include one in the final plan.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Definition of decide
Verb
  • With only the third-place playoff and the final remaining, there is just one more chance for players to secure individual recognition as the 2026 World Cup’s top goalscorer, joining an illustrious list of names from soccer history.
    — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • Still, locals hope the mountain’s cultural and natural wonders will secure it a place and will play a role in securing more protection for the mountain.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Definition of secure
Verb
  • The operator allegedly made more than $90,000 in profits on the trades, although most of that money was frozen by Kalshi after the bets were flagged as suspicious.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 17 July 2026
  • The European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter has been capturing some of the Red Planet's most surreal landscapes, and its latest images reveal a sprawling field that looks like molten metal frozen across the floor of an ancient Mars crater.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of freeze
Verb
  • But prices at the pump began to climb again after Iran resumed attacks on ships trying to exit the strait and after the US retaliated and put a blockade on Iranian ports.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Having said his piece, Armand puts a pen and paper in Louis’s headless hand.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Definition of put

Phrases Containing set

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sessions
set
set about
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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of set for Spanish Speakers

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