as in to trigger
to cause to function
set off a bomb
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ornament
something that decorates or beautifies
the architect used stone carvings as setoffs for the building's marble facing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of set off
George Ramsay, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
When the Travel Club set off in March of 1932 on a nineteen-hour train ride from Indianapolis to the nation’s capital, Tate again brought along her camera.
—April White, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2025
Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2019
See All Example Sentences for set off
Verb
The lead group set off at a blistering pace, passing through the halfway mark in 1:08:46.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
When the Travel Club set off in March of 1932 on a nineteen-hour train ride from Indianapolis to the nation’s capital, Tate again brought along her camera.
—April White, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
That setoff a worldwide hunt for the impact site.
—Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2019
See All Example Sentences for set off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set off
Verb
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The move upended global trade and triggered retaliation from Beijing.—
Helen Reid,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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Vaccines, a polarizing issue for many Americans, will trigger more alarms in the near future with a new requirement for their future development and distribution.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Noun
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Also unveiled are floral ornaments and garlands that haven’t been visible for decades: the result is a grand, wedding-cake-like aesthetic. Inside the building, meanwhile, the grand lobby features restored leaded glass and marble panels; while wooden desks and booths hark back to the 1920s roots.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Idiomatic ornaments enlivened the repeat sections; these had a particularly exhilarating impact in Variation 5, amid sixteenth notes of already breathtaking effortlessness.—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Blue Jays outfielder’s incredible play came just hours after Toronto activated him off the injured list to make his season debut.—
Jenna West,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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The ability of car companies to charge users to activate some features is effectively the only reason the car’s systems need to communicate with cell towers.—
Dell Cameron,
Wired News,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The historic storefront, featuring a facade adorned with Renaissance and Baroque ornamentation, prominently displays the Bulgari logo in Roman capitals, set against a pelmet crafted from emerald-colored marble.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2025
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Instead the flowers in an insignia, the metal used to make a circlet, the weave of a piece of braided leather armor; any decorative detail is not mere ornamentation.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Over the last few weeks President Donald Trump’s trade wars have triggered market instability, stoked fears of stagflation, alienated America's traditional trading partners, and sparked boycotts of American goods.—
Made by History,
Time,
28 Apr. 2025
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Those receivers helped spark LSU’s national title in 2019 and played a big role in two transfer QBs (Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels) coming to Baton Rouge and winning Heisman Trophies.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The mother-of-pearl embroidery that traced a black wrap dress was inspired by the decoration on Korean wedding chests.—
Steff Yotka,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2025
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Lauren was planning a small birthday party for her soon-to-be 6-year-old, with the decorations ordered and the invitations sent out.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This multiyear partnership provides the time and platform to drive meaningful impact redefining the role of skin care in performance, recovery and well-being.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
2 May 2025
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According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, roughly 30 million people, or 9% of the U.S. population, drive motorcycles.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
2 May 2025
Noun
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The Department of Education will begin collecting federal student loans in default on May 5, having issued a warning that borrowers could be referred to debt collectors, face a garnishment of wages or deal with other mandates to pay back the funds.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Apr. 2025
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This garnishment could apply to millions who have fallen behind and failed to make arrangements.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Set off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20off. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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