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
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
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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
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Recent Examples of setting up
The figures involved in setting up the fight are Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Al-Sheikh, Ring Magazine and Saudi entertainment group Sela as well as broadcaster Netflix.
—
Chris McKenna, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Police launched a large search operation after the shooting, setting up checkpoints and looking for witnesses.
—Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 16 June 2026
On Monday afternoon, the AP projected that Raman would advance to the November general election, setting up a contest between two Democrats with sharply different visions for the city.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 10 June 2026
With the threat of the advancing British, the Continental Congress had moved the colonies’ central government from Philadelphia to Lancaster in September 1777 before setting up shop in York, just across the Susquehanna River.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
In Game 2, Wembanyama attempted only four shots in the first half, then threw the ball away and fouled Jalen Brunson in the waning seconds of regulation, setting up the Knicks’ game-winning free throw.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026
Raman will face incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, setting up a November showdown after Pratt’s unlikely bid generated buzz but fell short.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
District 1 School Board Member Steve Gallon resigned from his seat representing much of the northernmost stretch of Miami-Dade County on Monday, setting up an election to fill his seat for the remaining two-plus years in his term.
—Austin Horn
june 9, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026
But moments after setting up her cart, a group of Chicago police officers approached her.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Chris McKenna, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Police launched a large search operation after the shooting, setting up checkpoints and looking for witnesses.
—Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 16 June 2026
On Monday afternoon, the AP projected that Raman would advance to the November general election, setting up a contest between two Democrats with sharply different visions for the city.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 10 June 2026
With the threat of the advancing British, the Continental Congress had moved the colonies’ central government from Philadelphia to Lancaster in September 1777 before setting up shop in York, just across the Susquehanna River.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
In Game 2, Wembanyama attempted only four shots in the first half, then threw the ball away and fouled Jalen Brunson in the waning seconds of regulation, setting up the Knicks’ game-winning free throw.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026
Raman will face incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, setting up a November showdown after Pratt’s unlikely bid generated buzz but fell short.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
District 1 School Board Member Steve Gallon resigned from his seat representing much of the northernmost stretch of Miami-Dade County on Monday, setting up an election to fill his seat for the remaining two-plus years in his term.
—Austin Horn
june 9, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026
But moments after setting up her cart, a group of Chicago police officers approached her.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting up
Verb
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Then there’s writing it, and then there’s putting it out.—
Holly Gleason,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
Despite her shooting woes, Clark still controlled the game by consistently putting teammates in position to score.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
It was initially called the Brooks Memorial Art Gallery, named for founding donor Bessie Vance Brooks.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
17 June 2026
-
Eight months later, Malcolm X was fatally shot inside New York’s Audubon Ballroom, the same location of the OAAU’s founding meeting.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
More energy devoted to passing laws to protect consumers from predatory businesses and to erecting guardrails to prevent artificial intelligence companies from collecting and selling our data for private gain.—
Matt Martin,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
-
Workers spent Friday evening erecting scaffolding in front of the building as crowds gathered below to watch.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Conway prides himself on hearing from the people and building trust between politicians and Maryland communities.—
Kaicey Baylor,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
Proponents argue that speculators play an important role in building liquidity and improving price discovery.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Jennifer Lopez is still healing.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
-
The animals recovered from the home were also found in less than ideal conditions, but are now healing.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Verb
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His students had collectively decided to set the play in eighteen-nineties Butte, making the court of Duke Frederick the house of a silver-mining magnate and situating the Forest of Arden in the Absarokas.—
Jonathan Franzen,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
It is known that walls absorb the day’s heat and radiate it to adjacent plants at night, an important microclimate consideration when situating frost-sensitive plants.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Onboard mechanical systems convert the kinetic movement of waves into a steady supply of electricity, establishing a continuous power source that functions independently of weather-dependent terrestrial renewables like solar or wind.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
19 June 2026
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Worthington spent 14 seasons in the major leagues and appeared in 602 games, establishing himself as one of the premier relief pitchers of his era.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The miscommunications have once again put the majority leader in a difficult position, raising questions about why the president seems intent on making his life more difficult.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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Gordon said in kicking off his comments and raising a hand to reveal a rubber finger pad.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Setting up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20up. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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