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
Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
Said Rahmani often compared his life story to the plot of Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist, in which a young shepherd sets off on a long and winding journey to find his treasure, only to learn that it was buried near his home all along.
—Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 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
Undeterred, the siblings set off on a perilous journey, helped and hindered by both natural and supernatural elements along the way.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
Said Rahmani often compared his life story to the plot of Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist, in which a young shepherd sets off on a long and winding journey to find his treasure, only to learn that it was buried near his home all along.
—Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 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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Depending on direct or indirect exposure by private creditors and special purpose vehicles to public banks, this may wipe out investors and trigger a broader recession.—
Rakesh Kumar,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
-
This typically gets worse over time and is often accompanied by a harsh goose-honking cough triggered by excitement or exercise.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
Noun
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Since anybody recalled, the gate had been topped with decorative ornaments.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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At the end of the eighteenth century, the West’s power brokers, eager to exude stolid republican virtue, abjured decoration and ornament, sparking what the British psychologist John Flügel called the Great Masculine Renunciation.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Raven Room is a great spot for happy hour, and the owners have been going to great lengths lately to activate the space with programming such as live music.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Mercury in Cancer, for instance, activates your partnership sector — followed by the sun later this month — bringing focus to romantic, business or close one-on-one dynamics.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
From there, the ornamentation strips back, room by room, evolving with the narrative of the album.—
Angela Tafoya,
Architectural Digest,
29 May 2026
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It is surrounded by appliqué ornamentation reflecting the decorative arts of each culture and an ornate frieze around the periphery.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The violent arrest immediately sparked community protests, and Hyder was fired the next day.—
Jericka Duncan,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
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The case sparked outrage both in the local community and nationwide, with conversations surrounding race and self-defense rights taking center stage.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Vows unfold against sweeping views of downtown Phoenix and the red rock of Papago, so decorations can stay minimal.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
31 May 2026
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And throughout the cruise, Joie de Vivre, with its chic salons inspired by 20th-century Parisian design and all decked out in festive decorations, anchored the experience in an undeniable sense of place.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Verb
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McCarthy doubled in the ninth to move Kyle Karros to third before Rumfield drove him home with a sac fly to right field for a 9-8 lead.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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The blend of plush but no-nonsense North American furnishings with opulent Ottomania creates a visually exotic yet comfort-driven aesthetic.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Learn how to get rid of your high-rate debt before a garnishment starts.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
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The consequences for failing to meet your tax obligations can range from late fees and collection notices to wage garnishment and property liens.—
John Csiszar,
CNBC,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Set off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20off. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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