Antonyms for set about


Grammar : Verb
Spell : set
Phonetic Transcription : sɛt


Definition of set about

Origin :
  • Old English settan (transitive) "cause to sit, put in some place, fix firmly; build, found; appoint, assign," from Proto-Germanic *(bi)satjan "to cause to sit, set" (cf. Old Norse setja, Swedish sätta, Old Saxon settian, Old Frisian setta, Dutch zetten, German setzen, Gothic satjan), causative form of PIE *sod-, variant of *sed- "to sit" (see sit (v.)). Also cf. set (n.2).
  • Intransitive sense from c.1200, "be seated." Used in many disparate senses by Middle English; sense of "make or cause to do, act, or be; start" and that of "mount a gemstone" attested by mid-13c. Confused with sit since early 14c. Of the sun, moon, etc., "to go down," recorded from c.1300, perhaps from similar use of the cognates in Scandinavian languages. To set (something) on "incite to attack" (c.1300) originally was in reference to hounds and game.
  • As in approach : verb begin
  • As in lay into : verb criticize, attack
  • As in assume : verb take, undertake
  • As in pitch in : verb help out
  • As in tackle : verb make an effort
  • As in take on : verb assume, accept
  • As in begin : verb start
  • As in undertake : verb attempt, engage in
  • As in wade : verb plod, often through water
  • As in dig in : verb begin with enthusiasm
  • As in embark : verb get on transportation object
  • As in embark on : verb begin undertaking, journey
  • As in engage : verb occupy oneself; engross
  • As in enter : verb embark on; take part in
  • As in go about : verb undertake

Synonyms for set about

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019