sets 1 of 2

Definition of setsnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
4
as in sits
chiefly dialect to rest on the buttocks or haunches come over and set for a spell

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6
7
8
9
10

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Then, as the sun sets, the ship's lounges and bars become a hot spot for entertainment. Megan Dubois, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026 Nothing sets the stage quite like travel. Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Feb. 2026 What sets me apart is my experience as an attorney of 20 years and as the only candidate who has served on both the state and federal levels. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026 The tension between the self-denying demands of being a Kennedy wife and Carolyn’s assured self-determination sets the framework for this love story. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026 As the sun sets, your property transforms automatically. Rosehill Gardens, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026 The legislature sets teacher base pay. Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026 What sets Luckin apart has been its ability to build a robust pool of private user traffic through its smartphone ordering app, said Mingchao Xiao, founder of Zhimeng Trends Consulting. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026 Pivotal's quality management system is also certified by SAE International, which sets global aviation safety standards. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
The idea that Wuthering Heights is alive is heightened in the film by production designer Suzie Davies’s sets. Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026 We were thrilled to have her friends and even both sets of grandparents to our house in Lakeland for popcorn chicken and Publix subs. Josh M. Shepherd, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026 Each story unfolds at a rapid pace, bouncing between provocative shots of eccentric people and cramming two distinct sets of warring neighbors into each half-hour episode. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026 The pair also plans to create a culture of equity on their sets. William Earl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026 Betts had 13 points by the break, while the Spartans were unable to get anything going in halfcourt sets or transition. Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026 Nielsen’s streaming ratings cover viewing on TV sets only and don’t include minutes watched on computers or mobile devices. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 12 Feb. 2026 The brand’s Mongolian Cashmere Wrap, for example, doubles as a first-class-worthy blanket, and its linen pajama sets are chic enough to wear straight from a plane to the hotel pool. Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026 Using clean scissors, snip a section of vine about 4 to 6 inches long with several sets of leaves. Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets
Verb
  • But reading the profile of Mohamad Eisa and Yolka Gessen left me with a kind of dread, the kind that comes when a spin-off from a hit show spawns a spin-off of its own, promising/threatening hundreds of new hours of content to keep up with.
    Jessa Crispin, Air Mail, 24 Jan. 2026
  • At the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Nadella sat for a conversation with the Forum’s interim co-chair, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, explaining that if AI growth spawns solely from investment, then that could be signs of a bubble.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Once the soil is ready, Ryan chooses an appropriately sized container for each succulent.
    Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Life is for love to be fully present and ingrained in every action that one chooses to do.
    Taylor Crumpton, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • That clear size difference could be important for an Elko defense that values run-stopping ability and strength at the point of attack in a linebacker.
    Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The equal-weight S&P 500—a notional index that values each of the 500 companies equally rather than by total market cap—is actually at a record high this morning because the non-tech companies inside it are doing rather well.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The neighborhood/area Nestled along Pinney's Beach, the property sits just minutes from museums, plantation homes, and historic churches dating to the 1600s.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Originally built as vacation homes in 1973, Muralla Roja (also known as the Red Wall) was meant to bring tourists to the seaside town of Calpe, which sits between Valencia and Alicante.
    Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • With initial tests scheduled by the end of 2026, the partnership aims to achieve operational functionality in the first two years, followed by further development and expansion.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
  • This audit aims to do just that, said Jared Rodriguez, executive director of the Childcare Providers Association of Michigan, a child care industry trade group that's spearheading the audit.
    Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Naturally, Liz decides to create her own rom-com HAE and rope Wes into helping her win Michael’s heart by pretending to fake date each other.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
  • How the jury weighs Guevara’s refusal to answer questions could factor heavily into how much the city will eventually pay out in the more than two dozen other lawsuits that are still pending against him — or whether the Law Department decides to roll the dice and take some of them to trial.
    Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The movie follows the story of Elliot (Hoffman), an unmotivated twenty-something who secures a job with artist and provocateur Erika Tracy (Wilde).
    Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The subcontractor uses his leverage by threatening to stop his collaboration unless Heike secures more hours and revenue for him.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Where to Stay The 1850 Hotel The 20-suite 1850 Hotel puts you right in the heart of Boone, a short walk from charming boutiques, coffee shops, and bars.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
  • When the weather allows, outdoor seating puts diners on eye level with the skyline.
    Kasia Dietz, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on sets

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!