set upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"set upon" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to attack someone or something, either physically or verbally. For example: The angry mob set upon the intruder and pelted him with stones.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Hey, Satan," I yelled out, "how's it going?" I was immediately set upon by demons.

The New Yorker

They set upon the women with horsewhips.

The New Yorker

He's set upon by dogs.

The Guardian - Music

States such as Florida and Oklahoma set upon midazolam.

Independent

The crowd set upon Mr. Rosenbaum.

The New York Times

Maybe Nemesis had been set upon.

The New Yorker

As violence spread, a double-decker bus was set upon.

The Guardian

He would be set upon, like Actaeon, and torn apart.

The New Yorker

That is, until set upon by his friend Boris Johnson.

The Guardian

Sometimes the dogs set upon a helpless child or adult.

The New York Times

We're all being divided, set upon each other.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "set upon" when you want to convey a sense of being suddenly and often aggressively attacked or targeted, either physically or verbally. It's particularly effective when describing a group action against an individual or object.

Common error

Avoid using "set upon" in active constructions where it should be passive. For instance, instead of "The mob set upon him", ensure the subject is receiving the action: "He was set upon by the mob."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set upon" functions primarily as a phrasal verb in the passive voice, indicating that someone or something is the recipient of an attack or assault. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes the act of being attacked, often suddenly and aggressively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set upon" is a phrasal verb typically used in the passive voice to describe an attack or assault, often implying the victim was overwhelmed or targeted by multiple assailants. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "attacked" or "assaulted" exist, "set upon" specifically highlights the sudden and often overwhelming nature of the action. When using "set upon", ensure it's in the passive voice, and consider the appropriateness of conveying a sense of being targeted and overcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fell upon

An alternative way of saying "set upon", maintaining the same sense.

attacked

Focuses on the act of aggression, omitting the sense of being surrounded or targeted.

assaulted

Implies a violent physical attack.

ambushed

Highlights the element of surprise in the attack.

pounced on

Suggests a sudden and forceful attack, often physically.

descended on

Emphasizes the rapid and overwhelming nature of the attack.

swarmed

Highlights being overwhelmed by a large number of attackers.

targeted

Focuses on the selection of a specific victim or object.

raided

Implies a sudden attack or invasion, often for a specific purpose.

blitzed

Suggests a rapid and overwhelming attack.

FAQs

How can I use "set upon" in a sentence?

"Set upon" is typically used in the passive voice to describe someone or something being attacked. For example, "The traveler was "set upon" by bandits" or "The proposal was "set upon" by critics".

What are some synonyms for "set upon"?

Alternatives to "set upon" include "attacked", "assaulted", "ambushed", or "pounced on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "set upon by" or just "set upon"?

While "set upon" can sometimes imply an attack without explicitly stating the attacker, it's generally clearer and more grammatically sound to use "set upon by" to identify who or what is doing the attacking. For example, "He was "set upon by" a group of thugs."

What's the difference between "set upon" and "attacked"?

"Set upon" often implies a more sudden and overwhelming attack, frequently involving multiple attackers. "Attacked", on the other hand, is a more general term for any kind of offensive action. "Set upon" suggests being targeted and overwhelmed, adding a layer of intensity beyond a simple "attacked".