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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of set off
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Nixon left office only a few weeks later, setting off a struggle over the ownership of presidential papers.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
That setoff a worldwide hunt for the impact site.
—Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2019
See All Example Sentences for set off
Verb
Investigators and prosecutors said the gunfire broke out during a confrontation between rival gang members, setting off a sweeping criminal case that has stretched through arrests, charges and courtroom testimony, as covered by The Sacramento Bee coverage over the past four years.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Nixon left office only a few weeks later, setting off a struggle over the ownership of presidential papers.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
That setoff a fast-moving timeline that will ultimately determine if third graders who fall short on the test will move on to fourth grade or be held back.
—Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
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 union said Stepan Shevchuk was the man killed when a failure of a precast concrete segment triggered a progressive collapse.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Dust mites, dead skin cells, sweat buildup and allergens accumulate over months, affecting your sleep quality and potentially triggering sneezing and congestion.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At the center of each ornament is a small flower that spins in the breeze.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
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Much like her environmentally conscious mama, Penelope Disick's choice of birthday party decorations featured ornaments that were not only good for her aesthetic, but also good for the environment.—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In all, 10 on-duty Portage officers, two off-duty officers and a Porter County sheriff’s deputy rushed to the scene with lights and sirens activated, the department said.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
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The department has signed a 10-year, $120 million contact with Axon that gives them options to purchase an array of high-tech gear, from drones to non-lethal Taser weapons that activate body cameras when pulled from holsters.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The receptionist works behind a period cabinet converted into the sort of desk Philip Marlowe would happily put his feet on and Art Deco ornamentations abound, from the beautiful clocks, to the slightly sinister candlesticks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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Pale, dusty hues enhance natural light, offering a subtle counterpoint to the rich ornamentation, while ceiling paintings by Vicke Andrén, celebrated for his work at the Royal Swedish Opera, underscore the apartment’s artistic importance.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While their on-screen chemistry has sparked speculation about their off-screen relationship, both actors have repeatedly shut down rumors.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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The reports have sparked a federal investigation following concerns about whether the cases are connected.—
Toni Odejimi,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There are so many exquisite, Netherlandish, hyperreal details to admire in the piece—the shadow of Giovanna’s necklace, the enamel decorations on her cross, the frizz of her hair—but there’s something about the ribbon that feels like a banner of heartbreak.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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The photos at Nurse Dana’s workstation, for example, are of actor Katherine LaNasa’s real-life children, and the pets aren’t the only break-room decorations Ruscio sourced from asking around.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Most observers would say that this version of Bentancur was not quite as effective as the one seen under Antonio Conte, more able to cover ground in the middle and drive Tottenham forward.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
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Once officers arrived, people at the scene said that someone had driven a teenage boy who had been shot from the scene.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Other states have restricted the use of wage garnishment and property liens to collect medical debt.—
Noam N. Levey,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
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Wage garnishment can affect your eligibility for certain debt relief options, but not in the way some borrowers may assume.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Set off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20off. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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