setting 1 of 2

noun

ˈse-tiŋ How to pronounce setting (audio)
Definition of settingnext
1
as in environment
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded the novice camper felt lost outside of his familiar urban setting

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Relevance
2
as in scene
the place and time in which the action for a portion of a dramatic work (as a movie) is set the setting for the novel is Victorian England

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setting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of set
1
as in spawning
to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop the hen set for days

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

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4
as in sitting
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 aiming
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 deciding
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 securing
to put securely in place or in a desired position had the jeweler set the diamond again

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word setting distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of setting are background, environment, milieu, and mise-en-scène. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

Where would background be a reasonable alternative to setting?

The meanings of background and setting largely overlap; however, background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

In what contexts can environment take the place of setting?

In some situations, the words environment and setting are roughly equivalent. However, environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

When might milieu be a better fit than setting?

Although the words milieu and setting have much in common, milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

When is mise-en-scène a more appropriate choice than setting?

The synonyms mise-en-scène and setting are sometimes interchangeable, but mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

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 setting
Noun
The learning curve, while gentler than tennis, can still feel intimidating in a social setting. —Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 Maybe a team has an offensive system that makes for a horrible matchup in a tournament setting, a defense that can shut down an opponent or a player who can take over a game. —Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Verb
Sumrall has completely changed the energy around the program while Kiffin has spent the offseason setting his own reputation on fire yet again. —Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026 Jackson held the signs a minute before setting them down to talk. —Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for setting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting
  1. environment
  2. scene
  3. spawning
  4. choosing
  5. estimating
  6. sitting
  7. aiming
  8. deciding
Noun
  • Does a child or children born from surrogacy into a loving environment constitute slavery?
    — Ann Marie Luft, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
  • During his four varsity seasons, Thompson has helped create a championship environment for the Warriors, including an Elite Eight appearance two yeas ago.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Definition of environment
Noun
  • But Jeffries, an outstanding student who typically went straight home from baseball practice to study, remained more of a spectator than a participant in the borough’s burgeoning hip-hop scene.
    — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Set the scene One of the first things that jumps out at any of 1 Hotels' locations is the biophilic design.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
Definition of scene
Verb
  • These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
  • Easy trails lead to roaring Nugget Falls, while boardwalks along Steep Creek offer chances to spot spawning salmon and black bears.
    — Josh Rivera, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Definition of spawning
Verb
  • How to handle it safely For dogs that only graze occasionally, the main precaution should be choosing safe locations.
    — Diana Bocco, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • By choosing investment banking, an industry almost entirely based in Manhattan, students were expressing a predilection for its unique lifestyle and consumption options.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
Definition of choosing
Verb
  • With federal protections in flux and the EWG estimating more than 200 million Americans could have PFAS in their drinking water above 1 part per trillion, the responsibility has largely shifted to consumers to figure this out themselves.
    — Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
  • Worse still, the heat makes spilled oil more toxic, with some scientists estimating that the Gulf is the most polluted marine basin in the world.
    — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Definition of estimating
Verb
  • Turning my head, sitting, breathing—they all were accompanied by lightning strikes diffused through my body.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
  • Whether you’re gone for a long weekend or for a few months, overflowing mail can signal to burglars that your home is sitting empty.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 15 May 2026
Definition of sitting
Verb
  • The team is aiming for a January 2027 start.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 May 2026
  • Iceland’s official eclipse site says 13 cruise ships are expected around Iceland for the event, with vessels aiming to maximize totality and retain the flexibility to adjust position for clearer skies.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Definition of aiming
Verb
  • Because teams are deciding whether to devote millions of dollars and precious roster spots to occasionally unreliable males in their early twenties, much of a scout’s work is akin to investigative reporting.
    — Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • The former Huskies’ star went off for a game-high 32 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 139-109, in the deciding Game 6 Friday night to clinch a spot in the Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
Definition of deciding

Browse Nearby Words

settees
setting
setting about
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Cite this Entry

“Setting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on setting

Nglish: Translation of setting for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about setting

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