set in motion

verb

Definition of set in motionnext
as in to stir (up)

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for set in motion
  1. provoke
  2. pick
  3. incite
Verb
  • Election gamble The strike follows weeks of demonstrations and encampments provoked by the eviction and subsequent death of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Retinoids, retinol and benzoyl peroxide raise sensitivity, and stacking additional exfoliation over them can intensify flaking or provoke new blemishes.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • Voters in Florida, Nevada and Wisconsin also picked their first Black governors while Texans selected their first Latina.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • To be fair to the Falcons, picking Georgia Tech to cover the spread at Pittsburgh was almost as dumb.
    — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of pick
Verb
  • Tundu Lissu, a Tanzanian opposition leader and chairperson of the Chadema party, was sentenced to four years in prison after he was convicted of inciting people to disrupt last year's election but was acquitted of the more serious charge of treason.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
  • But Henderson said her generation of filmmakers doesn’t feel discouraged, so much as eager to incite change.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of incite
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

set in
set in motion
set off
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Set in motion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20in%20motion. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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