as in describing
to give a representation or account of in words
in his inaugural address, the president set out his vision for the nation over the next four years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 out
Another such method is setting out toxic baits—strychnine is commonly used for this purpose.
—
David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
With fewer people using dating apps, more singles are setting out to meet other single people in real life.
—Leondra Head, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding and a joint development agreement with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and the Saudi Water Transmission Company, setting out a roadmap for cooperation in the water sector.
—Reuters, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
In 1930s Scotland, a grieving teen defies his family and town by setting out to prove the existence of a mysterious creature, hoping to preserve the magic of his community and protect it from industrial ruin.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025
The actress and producer is also setting out on directing her own feature film for the first time with a new movie titled A Tree Is Blue, which will costar Jessica Alba and Charli xcx.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
The fastest way to a stressful hosting experience is by micro-managing and trying to do everything yourself, from setting out food and drink to cleaning up to fluttering around to ensure nothing is going wrong.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
GlaxoSmithKline chief Emma Walmsley will leave the job in December, almost a year before her notice period expires (though she’ll be paid the full period), and just weeks after setting out her strategic plan for the drugmaker in an interview with Semafor’s Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 30 Sep. 2025
What to know about hiking in extreme heat The past few months, several disappearances have occurred involving hikers setting out on multi-day excursions who are never seen again.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2025
David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
With fewer people using dating apps, more singles are setting out to meet other single people in real life.
—Leondra Head, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding and a joint development agreement with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and the Saudi Water Transmission Company, setting out a roadmap for cooperation in the water sector.
—Reuters, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
In 1930s Scotland, a grieving teen defies his family and town by setting out to prove the existence of a mysterious creature, hoping to preserve the magic of his community and protect it from industrial ruin.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025
The actress and producer is also setting out on directing her own feature film for the first time with a new movie titled A Tree Is Blue, which will costar Jessica Alba and Charli xcx.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
The fastest way to a stressful hosting experience is by micro-managing and trying to do everything yourself, from setting out food and drink to cleaning up to fluttering around to ensure nothing is going wrong.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
GlaxoSmithKline chief Emma Walmsley will leave the job in December, almost a year before her notice period expires (though she’ll be paid the full period), and just weeks after setting out her strategic plan for the drugmaker in an interview with Semafor’s Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 30 Sep. 2025
What to know about hiking in extreme heat The past few months, several disappearances have occurred involving hikers setting out on multi-day excursions who are never seen again.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting out
Verb
-
Nearby, speakers took turns describing a conflict that has stretched across presidencies with little sign of easing.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
But other writers soon adapted the legend of Atlantis, describing the island as a technologically and ethically advanced society offering a blueprint for real nations.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rua enters the topic of humanness by depicting a pack of mannequins.—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
In recent years, victims have struggled to have images depicting them removed from websites, increasing the likelihood of images being continuously spread and victims becoming retraumatized.—
Bethany Bruner,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The production features over 20 actors portraying characters from a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of the real-life camp.—
Ray Campos,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Acting career Allen next turned to acting, portraying Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor in the film How to Build a Girl (2019).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Setting out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20out. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
