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Definitions

set about

VERB
approach
Synonyms
STRONGEST
start
STRONG
commence embark undertake
Antonyms
WEAK
depart distance go away leave
VERB
assume
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accept acquire begin embrace take over take up
STRONG
appropriate arrogate confiscate don seize
WEAK
attend to embark upon enter upon take on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
complete conclude end finish reject
STRONG
give offer
WEAK
doubt leave let alone not believe not do not take
VERB
begin
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commence create do establish found go ahead go into inaugurate initiate introduce launch lead make open prepare produce set up start undertake
STRONG
activate actualize cause drive effect eventuate generate impel induce instigate institute motivate mount occasion originate trigger
WEAK
break ground break the ice bring about bring to pass embark on enter on enter upon get going give birth to give impulse lay foundation for make active plunge into set in motion
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease close conclude destroy end fail finish halt ignore lose neglect ruin stop
STRONG
check discourage dissuade prevent repress
WEAK
complete consummate die
VERB
dig in
Synonyms
WEAK
bite burrow chew commence consume delve eat rise spring start eating
Antonyms
WEAK
avoid delay postpone procrastinate
VERB
embark
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commence enter launch
STRONG
board emplane entrain
WEAK
go aboard ship leave port plunge into put on board set out set sail take on board take ship
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease end finish stop
WEAK
disembark stay
VERB
embark on
Synonyms
WEAK
broach commence engage enter get off initiate jump off launch open plunge into set out set to start take up tee off
VERB
engage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrest catch employ fascinate immerse interest involve join participate preoccupy undertake
STRONG
absorb allure bewitch busy captivate charm draw enamor enchant enthrall grip imbue monopolize partake practice soak tackle
WEAK
embark on enter into give a try give a whirl go for broke go in for go out for have a fling at have a go at have a shot at keep busy pitch in preengage take part tie up try on for size
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bore disenchant disinterest free ignore let go release
STRONG
disgust forget neglect offend repel repulse turn off
WEAK
discharge disconnect
VERB
enter
Synonyms
STRONGEST
begin join open start
STRONG
commence enlist enroll inaugurate muster subscribe
WEAK
become member commit oneself get oneself into join up lead off participate in set out on set to sign on sign up take up tee off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
complete conclude die end finish
STRONG
avoid dodge stop
WEAK
abstain delete depart erase exit forget go leave refrain withdraw
VERB
go about
Synonyms
WEAK
approach be employed begin devote oneself to engage in get busy with occupy oneself with tackle work at
VERB
lay into
Synonyms
WEAK
assail battle belabor fire at invade lambaste let fly at
Antonyms
WEAK
compliment praise
VERB
pitch in
Synonyms
STRONGEST
come through get going
WEAK
aid attack begin buckle down chip in commence contribute contribute work cooperate do do one's bit fall to get busy get cracking go to it help hop to it join in jump in launch lend a hand participate plunge into set to subscribe tackle tee off volunteer wade in
Antonyms
WEAK
hinder hurt prevent
VERB
tackle
Synonyms
STRONGEST
begin deal with engage in take on try undertake work on
STRONG
accept attack attempt essay launch
WEAK
apply oneself bang away at come to grips with devote oneself to embark upon give a try give a whirl go for it make a run at pitch into square off start the ball rolling take a shot at take in hand take on try on for size turn one's hand to turn to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abstain complete conclude end finish
STRONG
be lazy
WEAK
avoid dodge forget idle neglect
VERB
take on
Synonyms
WEAK
acquire add address oneself to adopt agree to do annex append attempt become begin come to have commence develop embrace employ endeavor engage enlist enroll espouse handle have a go at hire launch put on retain tackle take in hand take up take upon oneself try turn undertake venture
Antonyms
WEAK
refuse reject
VERB
undertake
Synonyms
STRONGEST
begin commence guarantee initiate launch offer shoulder tackle try
STRONG
agree bargain commit contract covenant devote embark endeavor hazard move pledge promise stake stipulate venture volunteer
WEAK
address oneself answer for commit oneself enter upon fall into go about go for go in for go into have a hand in have a try make a run at pitch in set in motion set out take on take the plunge take upon oneself try out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease complete conclude deny end finish neglect refuse stop
STRONG
break disagree discourage stay
WEAK
abstain forego forget
VERB
wade
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bathe paddle splash stumble trek
STRONG
attack attempt drudge ford initiate labor launch start tackle toil walk
WEAK
fall to get feet wet get stuck in go for jump in light into pitch in set to tear into work through
Antonyms
STRONG
avoid be lazy conclude dodge end finish idle ignore laze neglect stop

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And so Gyllenhaal set about writing, with her “Lost Daughter” star in mind for the lead, though she initially didn’t tell Buckley.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

So, they set about putting adverts in papers across the country, posing as a couple desperate to adopt a child.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

Those experiences helped pave the way for Coinbase, which set about to solve a problem that confounded those eager to invest in cryptocurrencies: There was no place for people to store their digital assets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

Prime Minister Keir Starmer immediately set about repairing and rebuilding relations with the 27-member bloc after winning the July 2024 election that ousted the Conservatives after 14 years in power.

From Barron's • Jan. 18, 2026

There was a large fireplace in the dining-room and she now set about wedging the cage up the chimney and out of sight.

From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl