set a precedent
idiom
: to decide something that will be used as an example or rule to be followed in the future
The ruling in the case is likely to set a precedent for how future cases are decided.
Examples of set a precedent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Allowing pro-Palestinian encampments to remain for weeks on end could set a precedent for future causes that students and administrators find less sympathetic, or even outright hateful, warned Eugene Volokh, a professor in the UCLA School of Law and a 1st Amendment expert.
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Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2024
Judge Mehta’s ruling is also likely to set a precedent for a series of U.S. antitrust cases that are already in the pipeline against companies including Amazon, Apple and Meta.
—Steve Lohr, New York Times, 2 May 2024
This decision set a precedent that led to decriminalization at the federal level in 2023.
—Alejandra Marquez Guajardo, The Conversation, 1 May 2024
What’s more, the project could set a precedent for future development in these foothills.
—Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2024
According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, black mourning dresses became prevalent during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1819 to 1901 and set a precedent for the ongoing custom of wearing black to grieve loved ones.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
Two, start with a readily achievable agreement to set a precedent that bigger agreements can follow.
—Kent Lassman, National Review, 16 Feb. 2024
Your example will impact others and set a precedent for others to follow.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024
The roots of the shortage go back to the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis, when cautious developers were hesitant to invest in new construction and set a precedent of undersupply that’s continued to now.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2024
Judge Mehta’s ruling is also likely to set a precedent for a series of U.S. antitrust cases that are already in the pipeline against companies including Amazon, Apple and Meta.
—Steve Lohr, New York Times, 2 May 2024
This decision set a precedent that led to decriminalization at the federal level in 2023.
—Alejandra Marquez Guajardo, The Conversation, 1 May 2024
What’s more, the project could set a precedent for future development in these foothills.
—Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2024
According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, black mourning dresses became prevalent during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1819 to 1901 and set a precedent for the ongoing custom of wearing black to grieve loved ones.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
Two, start with a readily achievable agreement to set a precedent that bigger agreements can follow.
—Kent Lassman, National Review, 16 Feb. 2024
Your example will impact others and set a precedent for others to follow.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024
The roots of the shortage go back to the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis, when cautious developers were hesitant to invest in new construction and set a precedent of undersupply that’s continued to now.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'set a precedent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Set a precedent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20a%20precedent. Accessed 12 May. 2024.
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