SET ON Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

set on

verb

Definition of set on

as in to assault

to take sudden, violent action against without warning, bandits would set on unwary merchants as they traveled along the Silk Road

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for set on

Verb

Two other men similarly charged with assaulting agents saw their charges dropped soon after they were filed.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
He was accused of assaulting a 29-year-old woman the day before.

— Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of assault

Verb

In Iran, Afghans have been attacked by mobs and baselessly accused of collaborating with Israel; some legal residents have had police tear up their documents in front of them.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026
On Saturday, an Ebola response team was attacked on the outskirts of the town of Mambasa in Ituri province while responding to a call to secure a body.

— Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of attack

Verb

Thieves on Thursday raided the Treasure of Villena -- one of the greatest Bronze Age gold collections -- at a museum in the Spanish city of Villena, taking most of the 50-plus mainly gold bracelets, bowls, bottles and other items on display.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Mundubile, who rejected the election result as neither free nor fair, had been in hiding since security forces raided his Lusaka home during the election period.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of raid

Verb

Such mutinous talk only heightened conservative Justices’ sense that the barbarians were storming the gate.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Young people armed with machetes stormed the site of the funeral, forcing the team to flee and injuring one member, a representative told the Associated Press.

— Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of storm

Verb

Minnesota prosecutors allege Castro fired through the front door of a Minneapolis home, striking Sosa-Celis while six people, including two children, were inside.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
The chip company closed a similar deal last month, striking a $6 billion structured agreement with Poolside, an open-weight model builder.

— Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of strike

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“Set on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20on. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of set on

verb

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