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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in building
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 healing
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 setting up
The Winklevoss brothers bought Bitcoin early on in the cryptocurrency’s rise, setting up the Gemini exchange in 2014.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Volunteers like Wes Parish and Brady Gallucci have been essential in setting up and breaking down the venue.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Options may include requesting penalty relief or setting up a payment plan, many of which can be handled directly through the IRS online or by phone.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
So last year, the students helped out at Central Middle School setting up Chromebooks for pupils and also at Mercy Circle retirement community.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Back at the crime scene, three witnesses approached officers who were setting up crime scene tape.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
The lead changed hands four times in the third quarter with Mira Mesa holding a 39-38 advantage at the end of three, setting up a high-octane final quarter.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
The change in habits is setting up potential food problems for young chicks.
—CBS News, 20 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
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Volunteers like Wes Parish and Brady Gallucci have been essential in setting up and breaking down the venue.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Options may include requesting penalty relief or setting up a payment plan, many of which can be handled directly through the IRS online or by phone.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
So last year, the students helped out at Central Middle School setting up Chromebooks for pupils and also at Mercy Circle retirement community.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Back at the crime scene, three witnesses approached officers who were setting up crime scene tape.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
The lead changed hands four times in the third quarter with Mira Mesa holding a 39-38 advantage at the end of three, setting up a high-octane final quarter.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
The change in habits is setting up potential food problems for young chicks.
—CBS News, 20 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting up
Verb
-
In 2024, girl group ILLIT became the first K-pop rookie group to enter the Billboard 100 with their debut single, putting a bigger spotlight on the talent platformed in these shows.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Even with an already comfortable lead, Coronado’s attack kept putting shots on frame, logging two second-half goals.—
Clark Fahrenthold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to Chervinsky, the organization’s founding team is composed of policy counsel Brad Bourque, formerly an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell, and policy director Salah Ghazzal, previously policy lead at Variant.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Despite being one of the league’s founding clubs, FCD is still searching for its first MLS Cup, a contrast to reigning champion Inter Miami, which lifted the trophy in just its eighth year of existence.—
Abraham Nudelstejer,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In Japan, tourists flocking to a small town at the base of Mount Fuji to re-create a viral photo caused so many issues that the local government temporarily resorted to erecting a black fabric barrier to block the famous view.—
Trista Kurniawan,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
High up in his yard, King returned fire by erecting stadium lights that flooded the man’s house with bright beams.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The ongoing cost of TK is about $3 billion a year; the state has also put $1 billion toward implementing the new program, including building improvements to accommodate younger kids.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
DeMellier is scaling fast, building serious sales momentum ahead of opening its first flagship in London’s Sloane Square later this year.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
How Florida’s Statute of Limitations Shapes a Claim Most people focus on healing first.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Jason now has healing properties!—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fischer skillfully braids the three stories together, situating them in an atmosphere of creative ferment and reckless churn.—
Michael O’Donnell,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
-
By the time of the 2004 Biennial, to which Violette contributed an ensemble of works situating the 1994 suicide of Kurt Cobain as an archetype of Romantic self-destruction, the neo-goth sensibility was prevalent enough to occasion a catalogue essay on the subject by cocurator Shamim Momin.—
Rachel Wetzler,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an opinion on Thursday establishing limits on when an outside investigation must take place following a Texas jail inmate’s death.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Trump signed an executive order in December to push for a single regulatory framework for AI, establishing a litigation task force to challenge state AI laws, namely those led by Democratic lawmakers.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But what was really baffling was Cronin’s claim that the questioner was raising his voice.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
That reality means balancing work, wellness and raising her young son, which has become the foundation for her latest collaboration with Fabletics.—
Casey DelBasso,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Setting up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20up. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
