sets 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of set
1
as in spawns
to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop the hen set for days

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Relevance
2
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as in sits
chiefly dialect to rest on the buttocks or haunches come over and set for a spell

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
as in aims
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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sets

2 of 2

noun

plural of set
1
as in factions
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
3
4
5
as in decors
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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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 sets
Verb
That sets the 2020s apart, as every other decade over the past hundred years has produced at least one midterm that made a big difference in Congress and in national politics more broadly. — Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026 What truly sets it apart, however, is its metal rollerball applicator. — Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026 The hybrid running and lifestyle shoe sets a sporty mix of mesh and suede atop EVA foam and a stabilizing framework. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 Though his stage presence could easily veer into a machismo-heavy persona, Robles sets himself apart in comedy by being the opposite. — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 What sets Free People apart, though, is its range of colors, textures, and washes. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2026 Continue reading … TEHRAN'S DEMANDS — Iran sets new hurdle for negotiations with demand US must meet first. — FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026 The film—based on the 2014 play Switzerland by Joanna Murray-Smith—sets a fictional scene in the final chapter of Highsmith’s life. — Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026 Fundraising is a huge part of what sets the presidential candidates apart from one another. — Jacob Brogan, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
Many of these 13 tracks have popped up as demos in Jensen’s live shows or NTS sets, cooking down to their essence in plain sight. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026 This marks the Heat’s first of 13 back-to-back sets this season. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 That leaves you managing two sets of obligations instead of one, potentially making your financial situation considerably worse. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Around 30 animators worked across 40 tiny sets, painstakingly constructing a feature-length film frame by frame. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 The Laika crew built 136 sets and 231 puppets to get her there. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026 In other Mayer news, the musician is returning to the Sphere in Las Vegas in 2027 for a run of show featuring three different sets. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026 Prettygarden Matching Lounge Set Oprah has shown her love for matching sets time and time again, and this comfy two-piece from Prettygarden is an easy way to copy her comfy, yet polished travel looks. — Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 16 Oct. 2026 Shop 30% off prestige brands throughout the event, including Armani, Dyson, Tarte, Clinique, ELEMIS and Charlotte Tilbury, plus savings on gift sets and essentials. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets
Verb
  • Slop spawns, and Waymo’s artificially intelligent cars hum into view like two-ton rolling Rorschach tests.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Molluscum is caused by a virus and spawns the pimple-like bumps.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Yet even in the aftermath of her terrible grief, Josie’s mother, Chrissie, doubles down and chooses to put Josie through the operation as well.
    — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Much like her character Klara, Ortega chooses to have faith in humans and their spontaneous wonder.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The customer really values the highest quality meat and poultry to bring home.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Organizations need transparent goal-setting, equitable evaluation systems that don’t penalize flexibility and cultural change that values contribution over face time—a significant mindset shift.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • The Israeli settlement of Neve Daniel sits south of Jerusalem, atop one of the highest ridges in the West Bank, nearly 1,000 meters above sea level.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
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
Verb
  • Yannis decides to go for STP, a Black Forest gâteau, and a Mary Berry’s recipe for Queen of Desserts, which is a mix of breadcrumbs and custard with jam and topped with meringue.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Federal agencies have overlapping jurisdiction over captive marine mammals –– for sea lions, the USDA oversees their welfare and NOAA decides who can keep them for public display.
    — Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • By bringing EdgePoint into the boardroom, Mattel secures an 18% stockholding in friendly hands.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Conversely, a larger capital injection secures the necessary balance sheet for heavy CapEx at the expense of a lower valuation.
    — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Pie dough freezes beautifully too, and takes up very little space in the freezer.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2026
  • During an intraoperative evaluation, a pathologist rapidly freezes, slices and analyzes a tissue sample while the patient is still on the operating table to provide the surgical team with immediate feedback.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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