1
as in to put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
set up tables in the living room for the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
set up a scholarship fund for deserving students from the inner city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to erect
to fix in an upright position
set up a post from which to hang the sign
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to build
to form by putting together parts or materials
set up the prefabricated shed by following the instructions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to heal
to restore to a healthy condition
don't worry, the doctor will set you up in no time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in layout
the way in which something is sized, arranged, or organized
the textbook's setup calls for a list of questions at the end of each chapter
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in sequence
the way objects in space or events in time are arranged or follow one another
changed the setup of the living room furniture several times before being satisfied
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 set up
Josh Gross, Daily News, 25 May 2026
Anderon will be set up with a billion dollars each from IBM and the government and will inherit personnel and IP from IBM.
—ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026
Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 24 May 2026
Forever home The estate is gated and can be accessed from both Chelshire Downs Road (the main entrance) and Oak Creek Place (a business entrance), a setup that quietly reinforces how much this property was designed to work in real life — not just photograph well.
—David Caraccio
may 23, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for set up
Verb
Center back Ryan Porteous set up Son with a great look before halftime that went unfulfilled.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 25 May 2026
Anderon will be set up with a billion dollars each from IBM and the government and will inherit personnel and IP from IBM.
—ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026
Noun
The setup is intentionally simple.
—Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 24 May 2026
Forever home The estate is gated and can be accessed from both Chelshire Downs Road (the main entrance) and Oak Creek Place (a business entrance), a setup that quietly reinforces how much this property was designed to work in real life — not just photograph well.
—David Caraccio
may 23, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for set up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set up
Verb
-
Featuring a drawstring waist and double side seams, these low-rise jeans put a playful twist on Hargitay’s wide-leg style.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
For this reason, try to put your hummingbird food far from other bird feeders and, if possible, position several hummingbird feeders across your yard so aggressive hummingbirds can keep a safe space from their own kind.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
According to the president of Iran’s soccer federation, the team will instead establish its base camp in Mexico.—
Chantz Martin OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
-
In 1887, Black Eatonville and white Maitland chose cooperation, self-governance and mutual respect by helping establish Historic Eatonville’s future.—
John W. Beacham,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
What to make of the image of a UFC cage erected on the White House lawn?—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
-
The Retirement and Personal Savings Protection Act would erect constitutional barriers against exactly that kind of expansion.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
As the story builds toward a violent showdown between the mourners and the town, the reader will be entranced by its surreal language and bizarre logic.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
San Diego still wants to build through pressure, circulate the ball, involve the goalkeeper and create superiority through the midfield.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Claudication that doesn’t improve, wounds that won’t heal, sudden severe swelling and new numbness all warrant a clinician visit.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
-
The session helps participants alleviate anxiety and promotes a deep sense of healing relaxation through a variety of percussion instruments.—
Pomerado News,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The mathematics of flat space is astonishingly versatile, and new research is upending the traditional thinking about the layout of our cosmos.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
23 May 2026
-
The state broadcaster also reported that blueprints provided by the coal mine did not match the actual layout, hampering rescue efforts.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
So find some ways to sequence and get deeper into counts.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
-
An essential seven-email nurture sequence then teaches, builds trust, handles objections, and ultimately closes sales automatically.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Located in the restaurant’s event space, tables are situated around a massive display of eggs, proteins, charcuterie, breads, pastries, juices, skyr (Iceland’s take on yogurt), and so much more.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
Peace lily or Spathiphyllum, with white spadix and white spathe, is suitable for both indoor and outdoor growing, at least where it is protected from frost by overhanging trees and situated against a wall.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Set up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20up. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
