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
Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The agreement set up floor votes on a range of bipartisan amendments and carved out the legislative branch funding bill at the request of Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), who objected to its $7.1 billion cost and wanted a separate vote to oppose it.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 2 Aug. 2025
Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
The Beatles may have pioneered the stadium format, but their setup was quaint by today’s standards.
—Lindsay A. Fleming, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set up
Verb
Hershberger set up an engagement breakfast in their backyard, featuring blue and white floral arrangements that included hydrangeas, lilies, roses and tulips.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The agreement set up floor votes on a range of bipartisan amendments and carved out the legislative branch funding bill at the request of Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), who objected to its $7.1 billion cost and wanted a separate vote to oppose it.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
This is a trademark of Flick’s setup, which looks to create large distances between players in build-up.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
The Beatles may have pioneered the stadium format, but their setup was quaint by today’s standards.
—Lindsay A. Fleming, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set up
Verb
-
Powell is also expected to announce a policy shift that could keep interest rates higher over the longer term as officials put more emphasis on keeping inflation contained.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
-
After Domingue removed Panaro from the block, Reilly put Rylie Jeffries up for eviction as a replacement.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Theresa's path to establishing Modern Legal is both intimate and compelling.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The fire is now well established on the North Fork of the Kings River in timber fuel model with no fire history and heavy tree mortality.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Haleiwa Hotel was erected at the mouth of the Anahulu River in 1899 and stood there for 44 years, in stark contrast to its rural surroundings.—
Paula Conway,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The original bronze statue—the first in the world—was erected in 1980 at the same location but was moved indoors in 1996 to the downtown Memphis Tennessee State Welcome Center to protect it from the elements and over-adoring fans.—
Korrin Bishop,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The mix of Queen Anne, Classical Revival, Colonial Revival and Prairie-style homes built between the late 1800s and early 1900s remain cultural gems that have benefited from preservation efforts.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
21 Aug. 2025
-
What started as a hobby soon became a calling, and in 2007 Luca launched Luxx, his debut nightclub, building a reputation for crafting memorable (or, perhaps hazy) nights out.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
For Billie Shepperd, the system’s failures aren’t merely statistics, and the reforms can’t heal a lifelong wound.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
-
So, for breaking to come into my life late, my relationship with myself is so much better, which, in turn, ended up healing my relationship with my mom and others.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The layout was created to be as open as possible, drawing inspiration from loft living while strategically enclosing private areas like the bedroom, dressing spaces, and Meloni’s office.—
Gay Gassmann,
Architectural Digest,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The alleged shooter flips to what looks to be a drawing of the layout of the church, points to two outside windows and then stabs the illustration with a long knife.—
R.J. Rico,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
After season one’s dance sequence became a sensation, did everybody feel a lot more pressure on the second one?—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The payoff is a drolly whirligig centerpiece sequence in which their small apartment is suddenly swarming with Ashley’s boyfriends.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
DaCosta situates the story in 1954 but infuses it with her modern sensibility, shaping a lush, volatile portrait of womanhood, longing, and consequence.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
21 Aug. 2025
-
The Doerner Fir is situated in the Coast Range Mountains about 50 miles from the Coos Bay, and there is a trail and recreation area that draws visitors year-round for hiking through the old-growth forest.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Set up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20up. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share