setting 1 of 2

noun

ˈse-tiŋ How to pronounce setting (audio)
Definition of settingnext
1
as in environment
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded the novice camper felt lost outside of his familiar urban setting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in scene
the place and time in which the action for a portion of a dramatic work (as a movie) is set the setting for the novel is Victorian England

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setting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of set
1
as in spawning
to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop the hen set for days

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2
as in choosing
to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority set a date for the wedding

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3
as in estimating
to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding fire losses were set at a million dollars

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4
as in sitting
chiefly dialect to rest on the buttocks or haunches come over and set for a spell

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in aiming
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal determined to see the West, she set her car towards the sun and drove off

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6
as in deciding
to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of finally set some plans for the luncheon

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in securing
to put securely in place or in a desired position had the jeweler set the diamond again

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8
as in freezing
to turn from a liquid into a substance resembling jelly the gelatin is just starting to set now

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9
as in putting
to arrange something in a certain spot or position set a book on the table

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10
as in hardening
to become physically firm or solid the concrete must set completely before anyone can walk on it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word setting distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of setting are background, environment, milieu, and mise-en-scène. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

Where would background be a reasonable alternative to setting?

The meanings of background and setting largely overlap; however, background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

In what contexts can environment take the place of setting?

In some situations, the words environment and setting are roughly equivalent. However, environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

When might milieu be a better fit than setting?

Although the words milieu and setting have much in common, milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

When is mise-en-scène a more appropriate choice than setting?

The synonyms mise-en-scène and setting are sometimes interchangeable, but mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

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 setting
Noun
OWAReaper then creates a session key, unique to each target, and begins gathering the target’s email address, username and Outlook settings. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2026 This year is the first under the directorship of Kelly Cornell, who also runs the Dallas Art Fair and brought some exhibitors from that event to the breathtaking mountain setting. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 30 July 2026
Verb
There was widespread chaos in Bni Nsar, the Moroccan town bordering the Spanish territory, where migrants clashed with police, throwing rocks and setting police vehicles ablaze, according to local media and rights groups. — ABC News, 31 July 2026 At 6-foot-6 and more than 300 pounds, Biggers could provide Miami with an edge-setting option capable of playing outside on early downs while also moving inside in heavier defensive fronts. — Tyler M. Carmona july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for setting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting
  1. environment
  2. scene
  3. spawning
  4. choosing
  5. estimating
  6. sitting
  7. aiming
  8. deciding
Noun
  • The toxic environment eventually pushed Jagetz to her breaking point.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • That prospect creates a difficult environment for startups attempting to train another broad language model.
    — Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of environment
Noun
  • Search and rescue teams dispatched a rescue boat from Surabaya to the scene, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of Buruan Sapudi island in the Sumenep regency.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • During the video, a person wearing a gorilla suit walked directly through the scene, stopped, beat their chest, and walked away.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of scene
Verb
  • Fish in his regular local lake were spawning in their thousands, providing plenty of action.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • And just as mobile phone use evolved in Africa in different ways from other parts of the world, spawning earlier and more prolific adoption of digital payments, AI use and deployment will differ.
    — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of spawning
Verb
  • The ambition is to make Wyndham the starting point for travel planning rather than simply the place consumers visit after choosing their destination, event or flight.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The piece suggests that the contest over which state votes first in 2028 is mostly about bragging rights, modest economic benefits and media visibility for local politicians and pundits, rather than a truly decisive factor in choosing the nominee.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of choosing
Verb
  • At the same time, Alphabet raised its full-year capital expenditure forecast, estimating that full-year capex will reach between $195 billion and $205 billion.
    — , CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Spain's interior ministry released its own figures shortly after Vivas spoke Friday, estimating that some 50,000 people had crossed from Morocco since Thursday.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of estimating
Verb
  • Take turns with your husband sitting with the baby in the safe space, or even hire a (healthy) sitter to stay in the room with your son.
    — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Nolan’s The Odyssey is close to crossing the $1 billion mark in the global box office, sitting at $911 million after three weekends.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of sitting
Verb
  • Rodriguez returns after a 15-month layoff and hand surgery, aiming to re-enter the title picture against Silva, who seeks a second win this year to secure a title shot.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Democrats are aiming to keep control of the Michigan governorship in what is expected to be a competitive general election race.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of aiming
Verb
  • Advance preparations should also include deciding who has the authority to change a controversial decision or plan.
    — Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has been working out in hopes of deciding whether to play for the Rams, two years after the future first-ballot Hall of Famer retired.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of deciding

Browse Nearby Words

settees
setting
setting about
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Cite this Entry

“Setting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on setting

Nglish: Translation of setting for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about setting

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