setoff

noun set·off \ ˈset-ˌȯf \

Updated on: 21 Apr 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

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

The Starbucks incident set off outrage in large part because it was captured on video by a customer, but many such slights are undocumented and unacknowledged.

— Washington Post, "Starbucks incident highlights perils of shopping while black," 18 Apr. 2018
And so neither was the weather on Monday, when Tom Davis and the rest of the Achilles team set off from Hopkinton.

— kevin cullen, BostonGlobe.com, "What’s a little rain when you’ve survived war?," 16 Apr. 2018
The shooting set off weeks of protests and calls for police reforms in Sacramento to address what many see as bias in the policing of African American and ethnic communities.

— anita chabria, emily zenter, ryan lillis, nashelly chavez, ellen garrison and molly sullivan, sacbee, "New Stephon Clark videos raise questions about time taken to render medical aid | The Sacramento Bee," 16 Apr. 2018
The repeal push set off a groundswell of support for both Medicaid and the health law.

— nick timiraos, WSJ, "Changes to Medicare, Social Security Less Likely Without Paul Ryan," 12 Apr. 2018
Facebook, Google, and Twitter’s failure to block Russian misinformation on their services during the latest presidential election set off a firestorm of criticism.

— verne kopytoff, Fortune, "What Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Can Learn From Other Tech Leaders Hauled Before Congress," 9 Apr. 2018
Thousands of both pro- and anti-Lula protesters rallied in cities around the country on Tuesday and Wednesday, with opponents of the ex-president setting off fireworks as the result turned against him.

— Bloomberg.com, "Prison Awaits Brazil’s Iconic Ex-President Lula After Court Loss," 5 Apr. 2018
Video and photos of Nova Nation’s partying quickly spread on social media, with clips showing crowds setting off firecrackers and lighting bonfires.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Grease Fails to Stop Villanova Fans from Climbing Light Poles While Celebrating Championship Win," 3 Apr. 2018
The district decided to limit discussions about social privilege after a Martin Luther King Day exercise touched on the subject of white privilege set off a firestorm in the community.

— evan frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Parents support diversity during Oconomowoc School Board meeting," 21 Mar. 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

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