SETS UP Synonyms: 246 Similar and Opposite Words

sets up

verb

present tense third-person singular of set up

as in puts

to arrange something in a certain spot or position set up tables in the living room for the party

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as in founds

to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of set up a scholarship fund for deserving students from the inner city

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as in erects

to fix in an upright position set up a post from which to hang the sign

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as in builds

to form by putting together parts or materials set up the prefabricated shed by following the instructions

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as in heals

to restore to a healthy condition don't worry, the doctor will set you up in no time

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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 sets up The episode sets up Hal and John’s budding mentor-mentee dynamic in a 2016 timeline, with Hal being a reluctant teacher. — Matt Minton, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026 Much of the first episode sets up the mystery that the Green Lantern and his protege are aiming to solve before ending with a twist. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026 The proposal also sets up ministerial and parliamentary committees to monitor the disarmament process. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 All of this sets up a likely $4 billion summer and $10 billion year, Dergarabedian said, which could make 2026 the highest-grossing summer and the highest-grossing year since 2019. — Angela Yang, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026 The win for Bailey sets up what should be an entertaining wrestling match against either Bandito or Fletcher. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 Whoever wins the Republican runoff sets up a high-profile, big-money matchup. — Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 16 June 2026 But the decision sets up a circuit court split with rulings from the fifth and eighth circuits. — Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 28 Apr. 2026 Wentz re-signed in March for a second season with the Vikings, which sets up a completely opposite scenario for McCarthy from 2025. — Matthew Davis, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets up

Verb

In big cities, people like this tend to pay rent, which often puts them—to borrow some Marxist terminology—in an antagonistic relationship with the local petite bourgeoisie.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
As Hal puts it the next morning, the chilling effect is very effective.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of puts

Verb

King drops elephants through the air, erects wobbly Towers of Babel, lets characters run amok with depictions of her own pencils, and then summons a hand with a knife to clear a clean space on the page.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Cody erects impenetrable emotional walls around him that deny him from asking for help and creating community.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of erects

Verb

Boston Dynamics released a video offering a closer look at the prototype operations team that builds and maintains its Atlas humanoid robot.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Political tensions mounted Tuesday over the European Union’s next long-term budget as pressure builds to get the spending package agreed before a series of unpredictable elections in some of the biggest member countries next year.

— Lorne Cook, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of builds

Verb

If Moton is ready to play and Freeling indeed heals from his knee injury, the Panthers now have a decision to make as to who will start.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026
Simply beholding and appreciating the intact state of ourselves here as God’s brilliant image is prayer that heals.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of heals

Verb

This makes your role clear and situates it in the context of goals everyone cares about.

— Melody Wilding, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
The murkiness of it all clarifies by the end of the film, not just in terms of its heroes, villains and message, but Greengrass also situates this story within a recognizable cinematic and storytelling history.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of situates

Verb

The third book, A Court of Wings and Ruin, essentially wraps up Feyre’s story and establishes the storylines and characters that will propel the series forward.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 17 Oct. 2026
The constitutional amendment establishes a 40-hour weekly limit and two rest days without reducing pay.

— Mauricio Savarese, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of establishes

Verb

Ohio polling raises questions Advertisement As polling consistently shows an advantage for Acton, Republicans are increasingly arguing that the polls may be wrong by just enough to give Ramaswamy the win.

— Philip Elliott, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
The biggest names in movies, music, fashion and beyond pulled out their sartorial best for the annual fundraiser that celebrates cinematic achievement and raises money for the museum.

— Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of raises

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set straight

sets up

sets upon

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“Sets up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets%20up. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sets up

verb

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