phrasal verb · neutral
set against
/sɛt əˈɡɛnst/set a·GAINST
task2speaking
cause to oppose someone or something; to place in opposition
Examples
“The campaign set the public against the proposed highway extension.”
“They tried to set the neighbours against each other over parking spaces.”
“Economic reports that exaggerate problems can set voters against the incumbents.”
Band 8 sentence
“False rumours in local media set residents against the development project, undermining months of consultation.”
Collocations
- set someone against someone else
- set X against public opinion
Word family
set against phrasal verbsets against phrasal verb (3rd sg)set against (past: set against) phrasal verb (past)
Common mistakes
set for→set against
set up against→set against
Say it for a higher band
5make somebody dislike→6turn against→7+set against
Synonyms
turn against
oppose
Easily confused
turn against
“Over time, public feeling turned against the policy.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In set …
Learn it with its set