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
The aggregator does not own vehicles, employ counter staff or set the policies a customer will encounter at pickup. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 The credit union’s board also approved one-time $50,000 bonuses last year for several SAFE executives for the work required to set the merger in motion, the documents say. — Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
The two developed a good rapport on set, even coming up with a secret signal for each other. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026 But that total grew, Rodrigo announced before her headlining set. — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Adjective
In fact, that should be a requirement of anybody who wants to make the roster, as the Dolphins came into training camp without a lot of set roster spots. — Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 The winning bid is determined either when no one else bids on the player, or by the highest bid at the end of a set period of time. — Sports Betting, New York Times, 21 Aug. 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
  • My two displays now sit inside a much larger local smart-home project.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The ensuing win stanched the wounds, as names like Mark Cuban and Cooper Flagg sat among the second-largest crowd ever to watch a Wings home game.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sit
Verb
  • Shop the Patio Zen Deck Box in black or gray and choose from 16 capacities ranging from 30 to 320 gallons.
    — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Festivalgoers were never forced to choose between artists, as sets were separated by 10-minute breaks, preventing overlap.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of choose
Verb
  • Analysts estimate that clearing this existing backlog will take another 10 to 15 days.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Coulter estimated Thursday that the library system receives one request per year.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of estimate
Verb
  • Beijing aims to transform the region into a high-altitude green energy powerhouse, with projects that include a $168 billion megadam, currently under construction, that could stretch the limits of what human engineering has achieved.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This shift aims to secure more predictable, recurring revenue and higher user retention, mitigating the volatility of hardware sales.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of aim
Verb
  • The 6-foot-3, 170-pound Hayes ultimately decided to continue.
    — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • So Issa decides to bring out the real Paul Baker by inviting over all his bros.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of decide
Verb
  • BlackBerry sells encrypted and secure communications products to customers like governments.
    — Arjun Kharpal,Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The city of Atlanta has secured up to $50 million in philanthropic funding for Mayor Andre Dickens’ legacy project aimed at boosting development in historically underserved neighborhoods.
    — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of secure
Verb
  • Sophie Richards waited five years for a diagnosis (the average is seven to 10 years), and has had four surgeries (plus freezing her eggs).
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Iceland’s freezing temperatures typically last about five months of the year, but the government has chosen a balmy summer day for its pivotal national referendum.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of freeze
Verb
  • Costco is an awkward exhibit for putting shareholder-value maximization in the driver’s seat.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Espada is paid to put it in favorable positions, even when few seem to exist.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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