set has 59 distinct synonyms spread across 32 of its 45 senses. Each sense below keeps its own list, because a synonym belongs to a meaning and not to a word: swapping one sense's substitute into another sense's sentence is how a thesaurus makes writing worse. Its one recorded opposite is rise.
Counts are distinct word forms across every sense. A synonym that appears under three senses is counted once here and shown three times below, under each sense it belongs to.
fix in a border
“The goldsmith set the diamond”
apply or start
“set fire to a building”
put into a position that will restore a normal state
“set a broken bone”
insert (a nail or screw below the surface, as into a countersink)
give a fine, sharp edge to a knife or razor
1 of the 45 recorded senses carries no synonym, antonym or related term, so it is not shown above. Every sense, with its definition and examples, is on the full entry for set.
Synonyms, antonyms and the broader and narrower relations for set come from Princeton University’s WordNet. Full sources and licences.
(mathematics) an abstract collection of numbers or symbols
“the set of prime numbers is infinite”
several exercises intended to be done in series
“he did four sets of the incline bench press”
representation consisting of the scenery and other properties used to identify the location of a dramatic production
“the sets were meticulously authentic”
an unofficial association of people or groups
“the smart set goes there”
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
“the set of his mind was obvious”
the act of putting something in position
“he gave a final set to his hat”
a unit of play in tennis or squash
“they played two sets of tennis after dinner”
the process of becoming hard or solid by cooling or drying or crystallization
“the hardening of concrete”
evil Egyptian god with the head of a beast that has high square ears and a long snout; brother and murderer of Osiris
the descent of a heavenly body below the horizon
“before the set of sun”
(psychology) being temporarily ready to respond in a particular way
“the subjects' set led them to solve problems the familiar way and to overlook the simpler solution”
any electronic equipment that receives or transmits radio or tv signals
“the early sets ran on storage batteries”
determined or decided upon as by an authority
“date and place are already determined”
converted to solid form (as concrete)