setting 1 of 2

noun

ˈse-tiŋ How to pronounce setting (audio)
Definition of settingnext
1
as in environment
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded the novice camper felt lost outside of his familiar urban setting

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2
as in scene
the place and time in which the action for a portion of a dramatic work (as a movie) is set the setting for the novel is Victorian England

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setting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of set
1
as in spawning
to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop the hen set for days

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2
as in choosing
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 estimating
to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding fire losses were set at a million dollars

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in aiming
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 deciding
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 securing
to put securely in place or in a desired position had the jeweler set the diamond again

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8
as in freezing
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 situating
to arrange something in a certain spot or position set a book on the table

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

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word setting distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of setting are background, environment, milieu, and mise-en-scène. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

Where would background be a reasonable alternative to setting?

The meanings of background and setting largely overlap; however, background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

In what contexts can environment take the place of setting?

In some situations, the words environment and setting are roughly equivalent. However, environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

When might milieu be a better fit than setting?

Although the words milieu and setting have much in common, milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

When is mise-en-scène a more appropriate choice than setting?

The synonyms mise-en-scène and setting are sometimes interchangeable, but mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

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 setting
Noun
The stage itself also takes advantage of the setting, with the back wall opening up so the crowd can watch the sun set behind the action on stage. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025 How can Fallout Season 2 expand on the iconic setting? —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
Seminoles backup Kevin Sparry, a true freshman, completed a desperation 53-yard pass to Micahi Danzy to the Stanford 9 with two seconds left, and then the Cardinal were called for pass interference in the end zone on the next play, setting FSU up at the 2 for an untimed down. —Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025 Through the first five weeks of the season, Nacua was on a record-setting pace before injuring his ankle against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. —The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for setting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting
  1. environment
  2. scene
  3. spawning
  4. choosing
  5. estimating
  6. sitting
  7. aiming
  8. deciding
Noun
  • Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a soft robotic skin that allows vine-like robots just a few millimeters wide to navigate tight and fragile environments.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • But the fact that the Hoosiers could go into a raucous environment like Autzen Stadium and beat the Ducks by double digits without their quarterback being a superhero says a lot about their overall talent level.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of environment
Noun
  • Go further by Set the scene with warm lighting, textured serving trays, and small plates of complementary bites for that boutique cafe feel.
    — Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The holiday decor scene is saturated—nutcrackers, gingerbread houses, bow garlands, wreaths, strings of snowflakes, glittery pinecones, and that nativity scene that’s been passed down for generations.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of scene
Verb
  • Of course, even without Costner, Yellowstone would ultimately become a billion-dollar asset for Paramount, spawning seven different spinoffs.
    — Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The series, which also included Frances Bavier as Aunt Bee and Jim Nabors as Gomer Pyle, ran for eight seasons, ending in 1968 and spawning multiple spin-offs.
    — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
Definition of spawning
Verb
  • Some families are choosing to forgo internet and cell service on vacation to encourage more quality time.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The United States may be choosing to step back.
    — Sergio Alonso Fernández de Córdova y de Veyga, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of choosing
Verb
  • Josh Lopez, a coordinator with the South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition, said the carts are commonly removed during events, estimating that his organization has recovered an average of between three and four carts in more than 500 cleanups.
    — Devan Patel, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • This approach offers a simpler alternative to complex artificial intelligence analysis for estimating nuclear material amounts.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
Definition of estimating
Verb
  • There’s a food container sitting there from Jan’s Café, a chaotic Waffle House-esque diner where Ron’s attacker works security.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
  • In recent weeks, Obama has returned to the political spotlight, cutting commercials, sitting for interviews, and generally criticizing Republicans and urging his party to moderate its tone.
    — Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of sitting
Verb
  • Reconciliation is as natural as conflict — but pacifism, or being completely unwilling to defend yourself, while aiming for peace as an end, provides no means of getting there.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The network encompasses the nonprofits Indivisible Project and Indivisible Civics, which organize protests and trainings, and Indivisible Action, a separate political action committee aiming to elect progressive candidates.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Definition of aiming
Verb
  • Examine The Planter Before deciding what plants to choose, take a glance at your planter or container from all sides.
    — Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
  • As a result, Danny heads to Boston and visits his son in the hospital, before eventually deciding to crack the case himself.
    — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Definition of deciding

Browse Nearby Words

settees
setting
setting about
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Cite this Entry

“Setting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on setting

Nglish: Translation of setting for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about setting

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