EN

Synonyms for set

  • verb
  • noun
  • adjective

Most common

establish determine fix define put place adjust prepare

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

1. Establish

establish, determine, fix, define, limit, specify, found, appoint, decide on, settle, assign, ground, attach, pitch, impose dated

2. Put — to put (something) down, to rest

put, place, lay, lay out, position

3. Adjust

adjust, suit, adapt, correct

4. Prepare

prepare, gear up, ready

Other

go down, turn, station, frame, match, mark, solidify, plant, go under, arrange, typeset, jell

Noun

1. Group

group, collection, class, circle, band, lot, pack, pac US, ring, company, bunch, party

2. Motion — general movement; direction; drift; tendency

motion, heading, path, direction

3. Suite — A matching collection of similar things. (Note the similar meaning in Etymology 2, Noun.)

suite, block

Other

time, run, stage set, series, session, drum kit, cluster, school, evening

Adjective

1. Prescribed — prearranged

prescribed, specified, predetermined

2. Fixed — fixed in one’s opinion

fixed, rigid

3. Determined — intent, determined (to do something)

determined, intent

Other

set-up, established, laid, arranged, settled, cut and dry, hard, situated, regular, formal, firm, fit slang

Antonyms

extinguish, melt, rise

All antonyms of set →

Definitions

  1. v. 1

    To put (something) down, to rest.

  2. v. 2

    To attach or affix (something) to something else, or in or upon a certain place.

    I have set my heart on running the marathon.

  3. n. 1

    General movement; direction; drift; tendency.

  4. adj. 1

    Intent, determined (to do something).

    set on getting to his destination

Related words

Word family
set-aside set-off set-to set-up setback setter
Phrases
set-off set-up set-aside set forth set out set free set down set apart

Forms

Plural
sets → groups, collections, classes, circles…
Past participle
setted
e.g. setted → established, determined, fixt, defined…

Choose the right word

Set, Clique, Circle or Circles?

A set, while exclusive, is more extensive than a clique, and chiefly of persons who are united by common social station, etc. Circle is similar in meaning to set, but of wider application; we speak of scientific and religious as well as of social circles.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

  • limit Brian intends to strictly limit the money he uses.
  • establish You establish the property right by paying for it.
  • define "Why can't you just be normal?" "Define 'normal'."
  • specify Please specify profit after taxes, amortisation, etc.
  • put It was ordered that the classroom be put in order.
  • lay I'm going to lay aside that money for emergencies.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
setsteady
limitsteady
establishfalling
definerising
specifysteady
putrising

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters
put1, lot1, run1, fit1, fix1, lay1, pac1
4 letters
time1, hard1, turn1, mark1, band1, ring1, firm1, suit1, pack1, path1, laid1, jell1
5 letters
found1, place1, group1, party2, class1, ready2, match1, plant1, block1, limit2, fixed1, frame1, bunch1, pitch1
6 letters
school1, series2, ground1, motion2, circle2, formal2, settle2, define2, intent2, adjust2, impose2, attach2, assign2
7 letters
company3, station2, regular3, evening2, correct2, session2, prepare2, heading2, settled2, arrange2, cluster2, specify3, appoint2, typeset2
8 letters
position3, arranged2, situated4, solidify4
9 letters
direction3, determine3, establish3, specified3
10 letters
collection3, determined3, prescribed2
11 letters
established3
13 letters
predetermined4

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (party2 = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français
poser
Italiano
mettere
Español
poner
Deutsch
legen
Català
posar