set a precedent
idiom
: to decide something that will be used as an example or rule to be followed in the future
The ruling in the case is likely to set a precedent for how future cases are decided.
Examples of set a precedent in a Sentence
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Companies like Tencent have set a precedent by habituating vast segments of the population to daily AI interactions.
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Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
The speed and scope of its concessions set a precedent, signaling to other universities that avoiding political fallout now may mean rewriting policies, reshaping departments and retreating from controversy, perhaps before anyone even asks.
—Iveta Silova, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
In November 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) set a precedent for tech companies considering nuclear energy.
—Jay Bhatty, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
This initiative not only streamlined operations for AWS but also set a precedent for how legacy systems can be decommissioned in a way that minimizes disruption for customers.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
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Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
The speed and scope of its concessions set a precedent, signaling to other universities that avoiding political fallout now may mean rewriting policies, reshaping departments and retreating from controversy, perhaps before anyone even asks.
—Iveta Silova, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
In November 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) set a precedent for tech companies considering nuclear energy.
—Jay Bhatty, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
This initiative not only streamlined operations for AWS but also set a precedent for how legacy systems can be decommissioned in a way that minimizes disruption for customers.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set a precedent
Cite this Entry
“Set a precedent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20a%20precedent. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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