set 1 of 3

verb

ˈset How to pronounce set (audio)
Definition of setnext
1
as in to sit
to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop the hen set for days

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

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

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5
as in to aim
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 to decide
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 to secure
to put securely in place or in a desired position had the jeweler set the diamond again

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

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

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set

2 of 3

noun

1
as in faction
a group of people acting together within a larger group the younger set is less likely to volunteer for the church's annual rummage sale

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2
as in pack
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially they rarely associate with anyone outside their social set

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3
as in cluster
a number of things considered as a unit a set of tools

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4
as in type
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic the next set of job applicants had far more education and practical experience

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5
as in scenery
the array of painted backgrounds and furnishings used to establish the setting in a stage production built sets for the play

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set

3 of 3

adjective

1
as in go
being in a state of fitness for some experience or action we're all set to go

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2
as in stuck
firmly positioned in place and difficult to dislodge that rock is really set in the hillside

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3
as in determined
fully committed to achieving a goal set on being the first in her family to graduate from college

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4
as in certain
having been established and usually not subject to change the library is only open during set hours

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5
as in specific
of a particular or exact sort international law has set rules for the treatment of prisoners of war

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6
as in deliberate
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing it was not my set purpose to cause trouble for anyone

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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 set
Verb
Ethan then sued Denims for copyright infringement, which was ironic, as Ethan’s reaction videos set much of the precedent for what constitutes fair use on commentary YouTube. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2026 An restart date for Goliath has not been set, pending safety reviews and clearances. — Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
Co-founder Garrett McGee tells Vogue that the firm has worked on a lot of New York stoop decor set-ups since 2019. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 This marks the Heat’s first of 13 back-to-back sets this season. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Those consolidated claims remain set for trial next month in Los Angeles. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026 There’s also an on-board control panel with an On/Off button, up and down arrows to set the temperature, a Wi-Fi indicator, and a display showing the set temperature. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for set
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set
  1. sit
  2. choose
  3. estimate
  4. aim
  5. decide
  6. secure
  7. freeze
  8. put
Verb
  • The Broncos have navigated the toughest part of their schedule and sit at 5-2.
    — Sam McDowell October 25, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The stock is about 3% above it, and the bottom of the Muse gap at $625 sits right underneath.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of sit
Verb
  • Mississippians have not chosen a new Democratic senator since 1947, and Democrats last won a Senate race there when that senator, the onetime segregationist John Stennis, won his last reelection in 1982.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Swift’s fans were disappointed by the outcome of the game and how the Seahawks chose to celebrate on social media.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of choose
Verb
  • One cattle producer quoted in the New York Times estimated that using smart collars had saved him nearly $1 million in cattle health costs.
    — Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • By the 1920s, it was estimated that one out of seven Long Islanders belonged to the Ku Klux Klan.
    — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of estimate
Verb
  • By increasing its manufacturing capacity, the company aims to strengthen its ability to deliver advanced systems to customers.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The florist, which aims to open in late November, will specialize in seasonal floral arrangements and specialty bouquets.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of aim
Verb
  • Trials in four other cases in which Sorrells’ predecessor, Sharen Wilson, decided to seek the death penalty, have occurred during Sorrells term.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The next auto race will be decided by which country can excel at both.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of decide
Verb
  • Together, these assets show how clean power can become a core part of a balanced and secure energy mix.
    — H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Simmons said prosecutors in Guatemala were integral in securing convictions for Miranda Orozco and others.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of secure
Verb
  • Ice•ology trays use a slow-freezing process designed to separate impurities and air bubbles from the ice, creating crystal-clear cubes that elevate cocktails, mocktails and everyday beverages.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Barnes is cold-based, and thus frozen directly onto the bedrock beneath it, which prevents it from sliding.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of freeze
Verb
  • After the break, Colleyville Heritage wide receiver Trevi Preische’s 10-yard TD reception helped the Panthers make some progress, but a 23-yard score from Caldwell put Argyle’s lead back to three-scores.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Congress answered with the Air Commerce Act of 1926, which put the Commerce Department in charge of commercial flight.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of put

Phrases Containing set

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sessions
set
set about
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Cite this Entry

“Set.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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