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.

This being “Primal,” they’re set upon by a group of diminutive flesh-eaters with jagged teeth, igniting a life-or-death skirmish that, miraculously, steals the viewer’s breath.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 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

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

She had been walking with a male companion when they were set upon by a bear.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2024

It took, however, only a few minutes of listening to Rosy to realize that her determined mind had set upon a different course of action.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

set upon

Example Sentences

Related Words