setoff

noun set·off \ ˈset-ˌȯf \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Definition of setoff

1 : something that is set off against another thing:

a : decoration, ornament

b : compensation, counterbalance

2 : the reduction or discharge of a debt or claim by setting against it a distinct claim in favor of the debtor or party who is the object of the first claim (as in a lawsuit); also : the offsetting claim itself

3 : offset 7a

Examples of setoff in a Sentence

the architect used stone carvings as setoffs for the building's marble facing

First Known Use of setoff

1621

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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setoff Synonyms

Synonyms

adornment, beautifier, caparison, decoration, doodad, embellisher, embellishment, frill, garnish, garniture, ornament, ornamentation, trim;

Near Antonyms

blemish, defacement, disfigurement, scar;

blot, spot, stain;

flounce, flourish, furbelow, ruffle;

enhancement, enrichment, improvement;

appliqué, embossment, embroidery, fancywork;

bedizenment, gilt, glitter;

design, figure, pattern;

furnishings, regalia, trappings;

set off

verb

Definition of set off

transitive verb

1 a : to put in relief : show up by contrast

b : adorn, embellish

c : to set apart : make distinct or outstanding

2 a : offset, compensate

more variety in the Lancashire weather to set off its most disagreeable phases
—Geog. Jour.

b : to make a setoff of

the respective totals shall be set off against one another
—O. R. Hobson

3 a : to set in motion : cause to begin

b : to cause to explode

4 : to measure off on a surface

intransitive verb

: to start out on a course or a journey

set off for home

See set off defined for kids

Recent Examples of set off from the Web

Mike Inwood’s lighting effectively sets off the two act climaxes, and Janus Stefanowicz cleverly layers costumes, removing a coat to reveal glitter, or adding a uniform to change a son into a soldier.

— julia m. klein, Philly.com, "'Big Red Sun': Search through history and music for truth about father, self," 5 June 2018
This naturally set off an argument between David and Jordan as to whether Jordan was there for The Right Reasons™.

— mallorie sullivan, Cincinnati.com, "'The Bachelorette' recap episode 2: Becca second-guesses Colton after shocking confession," 4 June 2018
Matthew Chapin of Lake City, Florida had set off on a road trip in April and was scheduled to ride his Kawasaki motorcycle to Crater Lake and then to Portland to meet family, the Oregon State Police said.

— gordon r. friedman, OregonLive.com, "Missing Florida motorcyclist found alive in Oregon wilderness," 4 June 2018
Fireworks will be set off from Regions Tower at 10 p.m. The official music of the fireworks can be heard on B105.7, 97.1 HANK FM or 93.1 WIBC.

— chris sims, Indianapolis Star, "Where to watch 4th of July fireworks around Indianapolis," 4 June 2018
That set off a flurry of diplomatic activity over the past week, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s Thursday meeting with Kim Yong Chol, a top North Korean official widely seen as Kim Jong Un’s right-hand man.

— alex ward, Vox, "Trump’s big summit with Kim Jong Un is officially back on," 1 June 2018
Mj Rodriguez plays Blanca, a child of the ball scene-dominant House of Abundance, who spurns her demanding house mother Elektra (Dominique Jackson) and sets off to start her own ragtag clan.

— richard lawson, HWD, "Pose Is Bold, Necessary Melodrama," 30 May 2018
Mattarella refusal to confirm a euroskeptic economist as a government minister set off the collapse of a populist coalition hours before it was scheduled to take control of the fourth largest economy in the European Union.

— jason horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, "Italy’s president selects technocrat to lead after coalition effort falters," 28 May 2018
The law, which lets people request their online data and restricts how businesses obtain and handle the information, has set off a panic among small businesses and local organizations that have an internet presence.

— adam satariano, The Seattle Times, "Europe becomes world’s top tech watchdog as it enacts new digital privacy laws," 27 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'set off.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of set off

circa 1598

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

set off Synonyms

Law Dictionary

set-off

noun \ ˈset-ˌȯf \

legal Definition of set-off

1 : the reduction or discharge of a debt by setting against it a claim in favor of the debtor; specifically : the reduction or discharge of a party's debt or claim by an assertion of another claim arising out of another transaction or cause of action against the other party

2 a : a right to seek reduction or discharge of a debt or claim by countering a party's claim with an independent claim

b : a counterclaim made by a defendant against a plaintiff for reduction or discharge of a debt by reason of an independent debt owed by the plaintiff to the defendant — compare recoupment 2