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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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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1
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
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of setting
Emilia Emerson, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Guests are introduced to a local connections space before entering the exhibit, showcasing what Kansas City looked like at the time of the Titanic setting sail.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2025
Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2026
Sadie Sink is setting the record straight on one of the biggest questions surrounding the Stranger Things finale.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setting
Noun
Cozy settings are often a gentle, safe place to explore painful human experiences.
—Verb
Though what’s most unique about this option is its goal-setting pages—each month offers a section for your top three goals, priorities, new habits, and notes.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting
Noun
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Arkansas is home to more than 280,000 small businesses, alongside national and regional employers that operate in an intensely competitive environment.—
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Built for demanding factory environments Atlas is a fully electric humanoid robot with 56 degrees of freedom, meaning 56 independently controllable joints that allow fluid, human-like motion.—
Noun
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Photos and video from the scene showed a Honda Pilot with a bullet hole in the windshield.—
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Investigators identified the driver who left the scene as Shaina Renee Dallachiesa, 37, of Marion, Virginia.—
Verb
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Yet the show, centered on the murder of Laura Palmer, became a surprise sensation — lasting two seasons, spawning a prequel movie, and returning two decades later for a revival season.—
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These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.—
Verb
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According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2026 Kitchen Trends Report, homeowners are increasingly choosing appliances that create a better environment for cooking and gathering.—
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This path begins with choosing leaders who will put principle over politics and ideology, with a promise to focus on the middle class as the center of every policy.—
Verb
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The unconventional stay was also affordable, Giglia says, estimating her guests paid about $250 each for the weekend — a steal compared to her husband’s bachelor party in Los Cabos, Mexico, that ran about $800 per head.—
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Over the next 10 years, Dominguez said the city hopes to complete the project, estimating there are still 8,000 homes that will need the replacement after May 2027.—
Verb
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Mahomes is on crutches and the Chiefs are sitting it out this January.—
-
For the aforementioned scene, in which the sisters are sitting next to each other on a bed, Lilleaas remembers mostly sticking to the script, until right before the end.—
Verb
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The Hoosier Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
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The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Verb
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The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft grounded pending further inspection, following UPS and FedEx each deciding to ground the planes that make up part of their cargo fleet.—
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The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will take part in a showdown this Sunday at Levi's Stadium that could possibly end up deciding who finishes first in the NFC West.—
Cite this Entry
“Setting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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