Definitions

set about

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approach v.
assume v.
begin v.
dig in v.
embark v.
embark on v.
engage v.
enter v.
go about v.
lay into v.
pitch in v.
tackle v.
take on v.
undertake v.
wade v.

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.

See Examples For:

set about

But, he said, "we got up and, with these 10 people, we set about making the sparkling wine".

From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026

They set about testing 14 sites in Wales and north west England where it was thought Monsanto had been dumping PCBs, and found elevated levels at all but one.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

An S&P 500 put expiring in a month set about 3% below the current market price fell on Friday to its cheapest level since December 2024.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026

The previous owners had already done some nuts-and-bolts upgrades, and Walsh and Stewart set about converting the attic into two extra bedrooms and a bathroom.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Later, as they made a hearty meal, Matthias set about pumping the hare for information.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

set about

Example Sentences

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