dead set

1 of 2

phrase

: firmly determined
The mayor was dead set against [=strongly opposed to] the plan.
She was dead set on [=completely certain about] going to college.

set against

2 of 2

verb

set against; setting against; sets against
: feeling strongly that one does not want (something) or will not do (something)
Everyone was set against going.
He was dead set against the deal.

Examples of dead set in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Phrase
Damian Lewis makes a cameo as himself, or at least a version who’s dead set on writing a treatise on dog meat; Harriet Walter plays the long-suffering daughter of a romance author determined to get her mother’s smut some prestige. — Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026 The brothers have not been on speaking terms for some time, and William is reportedly dead set against ever reconciling with Harry. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
The dress featured contrasting fabric at the neckline and hips, with a velvety material set against the chiffon-like fabric used throughout he rest of the dress. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Feathering the Wind is billed as a timeless coming-of-age story set against the speed, danger and intensity of competitive youth sailboat racing. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dead set

Rhymes for dead set

See All Rhymes for dead set

Browse Nearby Words

Dead Sea apple
dead set
dead sheave
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dead set.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dead%20set. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jilt

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All