setting 1 of 2

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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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
The main hazards are in adjusting the power settings. Michael Justin Allen Sexton, PCMAG, 27 Jan. 2025 Many fans might be excited to see a major-league product in an intimate minor-league setting. Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
Imagine setting yourself up for a lucrative passive income stream that supplements your current income. Melissa Houston, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025 Additionally, senior leadership setting expectations for collaboration when reviewing and approving goals is key. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for setting 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting
Noun
  • Natural disasters force us to think about the diffuse damage caused by systemic neglect and unlivable environments over a period of time.
    Catherine Coleman Flowers, TIME, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Bubb said that pilots operating in these conditions must undergo additional instruction to demonstrate their ability to manage the challenging environment.
    Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Now, its cast and crew are being called back in to re-shoot scenes that shape a significant portion of the third act.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Behind the scenes, though, officials are starting to confront the reality that the LAPD buildup won’t happen anytime soon — while acknowledging that the country’s third-largest police department may even continue to shrink.
    Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • While she's become a pop culture phenomenon, spawning numerous parodies from Saturday Night Live, Ariana Grande and TikTok users online, Nara finds her own inspiration closer to home.
    Athena Sobhan, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
  • That film was a box office hit, earning $136 million at the global box office and spawning four sequels.
    Angelique Jackson, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Many retailers, brands and vendors are now choosing Copen as a supplier because of our exceptional work in preparing documentation tailored to the specific needs of each brand, covering multiple regions.
    SJ Studio, Sourcing Journal, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Grapes are also a symbol of good luck, with many choosing to eat 12 on New Year's Eve for 12 months of good luck.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • You’d be forgiven for estimating that about half of those have come in games against Philadelphia.
    Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
  • So if, as articles like this one suggest, Nvidia wants to start selling web services and software subscriptions to businesses,leaders are estimating that the company can make $150 billion a year!
    John Werner, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The Rockets came into Christmas Eve riding a three-game winning streak, now sitting at 20-9 and up to second overall in the Western Conference, behind just the Oklahoma City Thunder.
    Rahat Huq, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Coach Doc River played the role of Secret Santa by sitting the Bucks’ two biggest stars — Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was dealing with back spasms, and Damian Lillard, who was out with a non-COVID-19 illness.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • This summer is likely to be a key point in deciding his future — the two-year mark is usually when clubs either renew a contract or move on a player to maximise possible earnings.
    Gregg Evans, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
  • This could be as simple as burning a letter or keeping a small personal memento of the relationship and then deciding to release it.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • More attention to be applied to Zero Trust risk management strategies, from vulnerability assessments and securing code from production throughout the life cycle.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Combine this with other measures—such as freezing ChexSystems, locking your Social Security number, and securing your SSA account—to build a comprehensive shield against identity theft.
    Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near setting

Cite this Entry

“Setting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on setting

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