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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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 collaboration will span four years, with both companies focusing on rapid development in operational settings. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026 When people were also treated with a long-acting form of an opioid-blocking medication called naltrexone, relapse rates dropped across all settings — to 59% after short-term inpatient care, 46% after long-term inpatient care and 38% for those treated as outpatients. —Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
By wagering money, bettors are setting the odds on the amorous relationships of high-profile figures, from Zendaya to Katy Perry. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026 The bank initiated coverage on the biopharmaceutical company at a buy rating, setting a 12-month price target of $23. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Feb. 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
  • Development and testing activities will take place at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard, which will serve as the reference environment for industrial validation and certification of the technology.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
  • It’s been a very forward-looking, stimulating environment.
    — Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2026
Definition of environment
Noun
  • And similar scenes of fear and dispossession played out across the country, as Japanese Americans were forced to leave behind their homes and livelihoods and bused to remote camps.
    — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Instead, expect fellow guests who appreciate the town’s downtown dining scene, stellar maritime museum, and scenic river views.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of scene
Verb
  • The movie also offers a bunch of original Charli XCX tunes, spawning a soundtrack much better than the singer’s own lackluster mockumentary.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
  • That was the game that saw Perry ejected just a few minutes in, followed by him having to make the long walk from the rink to the dressing room at the Cotton Bowl, spawning a million memes in the process.
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Definition of spawning
Verb
  • However, choosing fewer priorities and building momentum through small, consistent actions that actually stick is likely to have a better outcome than getting spread too thin.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Bélanger notes that most midlife women benefit from aiming for about 25 to 35 grams of protein per meal, and choosing meals in that range consistently helps support lean mass and metabolic health.
    — Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of choosing
Verb
  • New work and volunteer requirements, designed without caregivers in mind, could create unintended consequences — with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that Medicaid work requirements could increase the number of uninsured adults by nearly 5 million by 2034.
    — Emily D. Tisdale, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
  • On Metaculus, a group of forecasters has taken to estimating when AIs will have the chops to out-predict an elite team of humans.
    — Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of estimating
Verb
  • Yet McGwire made sure to acknowledge Garrett, sitting at his table, during his acceptance speech at the College Baseball Night of Champions event, where McGwire entered the sport’s Hall of Fame.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
  • At one point, a mysterious conflict arose between two women who were both sitting alone, a row apart.
    — Rachel Handler, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of sitting
Verb
  • At a program unaccustomed to recent success, which has two winning seasons in its 20 years as a Division I program, second-year Coach John Shulman has the Bears aiming higher that regular-season accolades.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The Hoosier Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
    — Chris Sims, IndyStar, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of aiming
Verb
  • Denver’s return from the bye week in Washington was anything but pretty defensively until Nik Bonitto made one of the plays of the season, batting down a deciding two-point conversion attempt in overtime and sealing the Broncos’ eighth straight win.
    — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Of course, not all airports serve the same destinations, and differences in travel time and parking fees should be considered when deciding which airport to depart from.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 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 16 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on setting

Nglish: Translation of setting for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about setting

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