set on
Britishverb
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(preposition) to cause to attack
they set the dogs on him
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(adverb) to instigate or incite; urge
he set the child on to demand food
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Also, set upon.
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Attack; see set at .
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Instigate, urge one to engage in action, as in The older boys set on the young ones to get in trouble . [Early 1500s]
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. Be determined to, as in He's set on studying law .
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.
Lucas abandoned Chicago in June 2016, his sights now firmly set on either Los Angeles or San Francisco.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026
Located about an hour’s drive from Manhattan and set on a stunning 2 acres of land, the home was originally built in 1955 for auto importer Max Hoffman.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026
In Yang’s career discussions at the end of his Ph.D., he made it clear to Cohen and Salakhutidinov he was set on returning to China to build a startup.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
With John Paul awaiting trial for cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators, and Mica’s family trying to pass legislation in her name, the doc seems set on rallying viewers.
From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2026
I am dragged upward and set on my feet.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
