set an example

Idioms  

1. Also,. Behave in a way that should (or will) be imitated, as in Dad was always telling Bill to set a good example for his younger brother, or They were afraid of setting a bad example for the other nations. [Late 1700s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

set an example

Gustavo Arellano writes that ‘the Dodgers need to summon the moral courage of their past and once again set an example others can follow.’

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

As a leader, he has not been able to set an example.

From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026

Pais says he considered moving himself, but that he is staying to set an example for his community.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026

To me, a Midwestern kid familiar with winter winds dragging their fangs across her face, Mary’s upright spine and sure gait set an example worth heeding.

From Salon ● Jan. 31, 2026

They would set an example for the others.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John