plural set-tos
: a usually brief and vigorous fight or debate
set to; setting to; sets to
Synonyms
Noun
Examples of set-to in a Sentence
Noun
they had a brief set-to about money, but they seem to have resolved it
Recent Examples on the Web
Reed Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2023
His truest, ugliest self tends to emerge in his increasingly frequent set-tos with Linda, whose impatience with his documentary persona gradually wears through even her considerable acting ability.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Sep. 2023
William Gavin, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Now that looks set to change thanks to the work of Jack Phelps, who has published the design of a radio telescope that anybody can build in their backyard for a few hundred dollars.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for set-to 
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.
Noun
Into this unholy mess blunders Juan (Juan Amador), bearing the gushing stigmata of a violent set-to in a Sacramento bar.
—Reed Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2023
His truest, ugliest self tends to emerge in his increasingly frequent set-tos with Linda, whose impatience with his documentary persona gradually wears through even her considerable acting ability.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Sep. 2023
Verb
With President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House, a changing of the guard at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a usually uncontroversial agency, is set to take place within a handful of months.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Now that looks set to change thanks to the work of Jack Phelps, who has published the design of a radio telescope that anybody can build in their backyard for a few hundred dollars.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for set-to
Dictionary Entries Near set-to
Cite this Entry
“Set-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set-to. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share