1
as in putting
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
set up tables in the living room for the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in founding
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 erecting
to fix in an upright position
set up a post from which to hang the sign
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4
as in building
to form by putting together parts or materials
set up the prefabricated shed by following the instructions
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5
as in healing
to restore to a healthy condition
don't worry, the doctor will set you up in no time
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of setting up
The Hurricanes seemed content to grind away at the Rebels in small chunks offensively, setting up CharMar Brown’s 4-yard touchdown run and a field goal.
—
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Dozens of people, mostly in Minnesota’s substantial Somali population, have been charged with looting the program by setting up companies that billed the state for supplying food that was never delivered.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
But Ole Miss drove right down the field and scored again, tacking on a two-point conversion pass to give the Rebels a three-point lead and setting up Beck’s game-winning touchdown.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
By January 2024, the company was releasing how-to video guides on setting up with a seed phrase.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Even as the Opry looks back, Rogers says the 100th anniversary celebration is setting up the beloved institution for the next century.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025
The one-time DreamWorks and Sony executive is setting up the office to be a hub to discover, develop, and package projects, aiming to scale them for film, television and streaming platforms.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
The Chicago Fire and Portland Timbers secured their places in the playoff field proper with wild-card wins at home Wednesday night, setting up matchups against their conferences’ respective top seeds, the Philadelphia Union and San Diego FC.
—Avi Creditor, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Crews have spent days setting up on the site.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Dozens of people, mostly in Minnesota’s substantial Somali population, have been charged with looting the program by setting up companies that billed the state for supplying food that was never delivered.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
But Ole Miss drove right down the field and scored again, tacking on a two-point conversion pass to give the Rebels a three-point lead and setting up Beck’s game-winning touchdown.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
By January 2024, the company was releasing how-to video guides on setting up with a seed phrase.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Even as the Opry looks back, Rogers says the 100th anniversary celebration is setting up the beloved institution for the next century.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025
The one-time DreamWorks and Sony executive is setting up the office to be a hub to discover, develop, and package projects, aiming to scale them for film, television and streaming platforms.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
The Chicago Fire and Portland Timbers secured their places in the playoff field proper with wild-card wins at home Wednesday night, setting up matchups against their conferences’ respective top seeds, the Philadelphia Union and San Diego FC.
—Avi Creditor, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Crews have spent days setting up on the site.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting up
Verb
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Naval build-up China has built world’s largest navy, launching high-tech warships at a frenetic pace under Xi’s leadership, putting pressure on the United States and its Pacific allies to keep up.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Even calling it a magazine is a conscious way of trying to distinguish the work producers are putting months and months of effort into recording and writing from what podcasting has become.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After recovering from the shooting, Giffords has become an advocate for gun control – founding an eponymous organization to advance the cause.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The OpenSnow reporting and forecasting service is predicting four to eight additional inches at many resorts between Wednesday evening and Friday morning, although founding meteorologist Joel Gratz acknowledged that the weather models for this system have been a bit confounding.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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China, for political reasons, is fast erecting barriers.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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And, in a break with the past, the VDMA is now expressing support for erecting countervailing tariffs when foreign products are found to be made with the support of government subsidies.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Phelps was also lauded for expanding NASCAR's international footprint, securing long-term media rights and charter agreements, and building a leadership team that is focused on building the future of stock car racing with fan experience at its core.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Russian military in recent years has been restoring old Soviet infrastructure in the Arctic and building new facilities.—
Danica Kirka,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The post came as Princess Kate shared a personal video on Instagram about healing through nature on her special day.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Coming together with others was healing for Angela, after seeing the video of an ICE officer fatally shooting a woman in Minneapolis.—
Andrea Nakano,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The play takes place on a subway train, and though that remains a pivotal setting, Gaines’ opens up the drama, situating Clay and Lula within a broader social landscape, reinforcing the idea that their encounter is not isolated but embedded in the violence of New York City.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
3 Jan. 2026
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Frescoes by Pellegrino Tibaldi depict the liberal arts and the four faculties of medieval knowledge, situating the library within the intellectual framework of its era.—
Navya Verma,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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By targeting breeding grounds and establishing protective barriers, Hawx helps families reclaim their outdoor spaces.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has asked the federal government for $1 billion to improve rural health care, outlining plans for adding community health workers, investing in new technologies such as artificial intelligence and establishing more partnerships across the state.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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It is measured in the millions of students striving for opportunity—most of them raising children, working jobs, serving in uniform, or making rent and mortgage payments with other bills competing for their attention.—
Yolanda Watson Spiva,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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One person might earn more while the other contributes in different but equally meaningful ways, like managing the home, raising kids and planning for the future.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Setting up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20up. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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