setting upon

phrase

present participle of set upon
as in attacking
to take sudden, violent action against The armies set upon each other in one of the fiercest battles of the war.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 setting upon Place all dryer-safe clothing from your luggage in the dryer for 30 to 45 minutes at the highest heat setting upon returning home. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting upon
  1. flying at
  2. going at
  3. pitching into
Phrase
  • Rather than flying at low altitude for most of their flight, ballistic missiles typically follow a high-speed ballistic trajectory, making interception significantly more challenging.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
  • That distance expands to 2,000 feet when flying at higher altitudes, unless in a specialized airspace.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of flying at
Phrase
  • The Angels used four pitchers in a bullpen game, with three going at least two innings.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • And for this crew, with Stuart and Kripke going at it, that’s a lot.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 31 July 2026
Definition of going at
Phrase
  • Aroldis Chapman set the major league record for relief strikeouts after rookie Jake Bennett yielded five hits while pitching into the eighth inning for the Boston Red Sox in a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • Peterson, though, shook it off and displayed focus and professionalism, allowing only one more run while pitching into the sixth inning of an 8-2 victory.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 28 June 2026
Definition of pitching into

Browse Nearby Words

setting up
setting upon
settle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Setting upon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20upon. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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