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Dictionary.com
Definitions

set upon

VERB
assail
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bash berate blast criticize impugn lambaste revile trash vilify
STRONG
abuse assault beset blister bust charge encounter invade malign maltreat molest
WEAK
come at have at lay into work over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compliment praise uphold
STRONG
exonerate help let go protect retreat surrender yield
VERB
assault
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abuse invade rape shoot down violate
STRONG
advance assail bash beset blast blitz bushwhack charge jump ruin slam storm strike trash zap
WEAK
come down on go for haul off on jump down one's throat jump on one's case lay into let have it light into slap around work over
Antonyms
STRONG
decrease praise retreat
VERB
attack
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambush assail assault beat besiege blast bombard charge harm hit hurt infiltrate invade raid stab storm strike
STRONG
advance aggress bash bat bean beset biff boot bop brain bust clip clock club combat cook jump kick larrup molest mug overwhelm punch rush slog soak wallop whop
WEAK
boff chop down knock block off knock cold knock for a loop lay siege to light into pounce upon take the offensive turn on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist guard help leave alone lose protect retreat surrender
STRONG
decrease
WEAK
be lazy defend resist shelter shield slough off submit support sustain withstand
VERB
beleaguer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annoy bedevil beset plague
STRONG
badger blockade bother gnaw harry nag persecute pester storm tease vex worry
WEAK
put upon siege
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid make happy please
STRONG
assist help soothe
VERB
go for
Synonyms
WEAK
assail assault launch at run at rush rush upon spring at
Antonyms
WEAK
dislike hate surrender yield
VERB
lunge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bound leap lurch poke stab thrust
STRONG
burst charge cut dash drive hit jab jump pitch plunge push strike surge
WEAK
fall upon
Antonyms
STRONG
discourage dissuade lose repress
WEAK
retreat
VERB
mob
Synonyms
STRONGEST
jostle swarm
STRONG
attack cram crowd fill hustle jam overrun pack riot throng
Antonyms
STRONG
retreat
WEAK
avoid ignore leave alone shun
VERB
strike
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afflict attack hit invade try
STRONG
aggress assail assault beset excruciate harrow martyr rack smite storm torment torture wring
WEAK
deal a blow fall upon
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid
STRONG
make happy please
WEAK
not touch
VERB
waylay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accost
STRONG
ambuscade assail attack box bushwhack catch jump lurk prowl skulk slink surprise
WEAK
hold up lay for lie in wait pounce on swoop down on
Antonyms
WEAK
allow forward

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.

It was the end of his career in single-seater racing, but he set upon an extensive rehabilitation programme and was fitted with prosthetic limbs.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

As civil rights cases came before him, he set upon a path of trying to learn about the history of race in this country.

From Slate • Jan. 6, 2025

The Lord Mayor of London, accompanied by army officers, personally ripped down festive decorations from the doors of homes and churches, only to be set upon by jeering crowds that caused his horse to bolt.

From Salon • Dec. 24, 2024

Some outdoor sculptural elements can beckon loudly from a distance — when a formal pot is shown off in a formally designed garden, for example, perhaps set upon a plinth.

From Seattle Times • May 8, 2024

Crabs set upon and destroyed the moribund fishes, but the next day were dead themselves.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson