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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
The ornate accessory features scrollwork and clover motifs in silver and gold, set with diamonds that can be detached and worn as a brooch. Marta Martínez Tato, Vanity Fair, 24 June 2026 Our Full Time newsletter set the table earlier this week. Chris Branch, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Noun
In the seventh inning of a one-run game, in the opener of the most important four-game set that Nationals Park has seen in a long time, the most valuable pitcher on the Washington Nationals reached for the PitchCom on his hip. Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 23 June 2026 The fan-favorite Playtex Comfort Strap Full Coverage Bra with more than 10,000 five-star ratings is less than $20 right now, and this $30 set is perfect for travel days. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 June 2026
Adjective
In eco mode, once the room temperature reaches above the set temperature using just the fan, the compressor will turn back on and cooling begins again. Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 12 June 2026 Despite the detailed prop and set specs, the entire process was relatively speedy with development taking four-months, pre-production eight weeks and the shoot ten days spread over three weeks. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for set
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set
Verb
  • Housing sits at the center of that strategy.
    Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • With the completion of a multi-year effort to modernize Baltimore’s rail infrastructure — raising bridges, modifying overpasses and expanding the Howard Street Tunnel to accommodate double-stack container trains — Baltimore once again sits at the center of a national rail breakthrough.
    Wes Moore, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • As cruise lines invest heavily in wellness, onboard spas are becoming a major reason travelers choose one ship over another.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • If a purchase or repair is overdue, take the initiative and choose the solid option while keeping receipts and expectations tidy.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • The events are expected to draw hundreds of thousands to the city over the next two months, officials estimate.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • Orozco estimated that the nearby fire had caused sales to drop by 70% over the past week.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • That's significant because the nonprofit aims to reduce the stigma of mental health disorders, especially among Asian American families.
    Sharon Chin, CBS News, 25 June 2026
  • Taiwan’s ongoing military drills are aimed at boosting the island’s combat readiness in case of a Chinese military attack.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Obviously, mom needs to be given the options in this situation and allowed to make her own decisions, but those options can be framed in such a way that mom has to decide the option within the framework of allowing her children their autonomy as well.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
  • After countless date nights spent wandering Costco aisles during executive member hours and dining on food-court pizza and hot dogs, Beth and Alec Harwerth decided there was no better location for their engagement photos.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Volato sold its Mission Control software to FlyExclusive before terminating a merger agreement with M2i and securing an investment from the Vision Jet operator Flyte.
    Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Senegal needs a win against Iraq today to secure three points, but even then, it wouldn't be guaranteed a spot in the knockout round.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • When asked for comment about what the president said, a spokesman for Mamdani referred CBS News New York to the mayor's statement from Thursday night after the Rent Guidelines Board voted to freeze rents for two years.
    Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 26 June 2026
  • There is no shortage of policy proposals for reducing college costs, ranging from freezing tuition to canceling student debt.
    Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • In addition to the fear of deportation, the ruling puts thousands of immigrants at risk of losing their work authorization and their jobs, according to a Haitian-American journalist.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • That lawsuit, in part, accuses City Attorney Miko Brown of pushing airport officials to investigate a charter airline's safety record -- not because of genuine safety concerns, but to create legal cover for a city council vote that put $90 million in federal grant money at risk.
    Brian Maass, CBS News, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Set.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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