SET OFF Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

set off 1 of 2

verb

Definition of set off

as in to trigger

to cause to function set off a bomb

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

setoff

2 of 2

noun

ˈset-ˌȯf

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

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.

Recent Examples of set off

Verb

The encounter has set off new criticism over immigration enforcement in Houston, where local prosecutors are also investigating a July fatal shooting by a federal immigration officer. — Lekan Oyekanmi, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Sources and investigators have since said that set off alarms because Tonzelli was reported missing in 2023. — Joe Holden, CBS News, 13 Oct. 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 See All Example Sentences for set off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for set off

Verb

The proposal would give frontier AI developers a clearer legal framework while restricting the circumstances that could trigger government action.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Wilson, whose comments helped trigger the confrontation, was not a defendant in the lawsuit.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of trigger

Noun

Scarabs, serpents, vultures, lunar ornaments, ancient gods like Horus and Anubis carved from gold and lapis lazuli—all strategically placed on various points along the body.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
With a tornado warning in effect Sunday afternoon, workers had decided to forgo blowing up the oversized lawn ornament.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of ornament

Verb

Two letters redirect actions MuTRAP is a backdoor attack, also known as a Trojan attack, in which malicious behavior is embedded in a model and activated only when a specific trigger appears.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Ukraine received no warning from its partners ahead of the first wave of attacks, and information about a second wave arrived too late for air raid sirens to be activated in time, air force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on national television.

— SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of activate

Noun

The ornamentation, both exterior and interior, is taken from the Late Classic and Earlv Post-Classic periods of the Mayan civilization in Meso-America, according to the national register.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Known colloquially as the Flower Mosque, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi draws its botanical inspiration not from its overall form but from its sumptuous ornamentation.

— Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of ornamentation

Verb

The news that Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Hurts has a likely season-ending injury of blood clots has sparked questions about how the condition developed in one of the NFL's top quarterbacks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
In 2023, a series of regional bank failures sparked concerns that rising interest rates were ushering in a widespread crisis.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of spark

Noun

His decorations included the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Army Commendation Medal, the Air and Space Achievement Medal and the Army Achievement Medal, each with one oak leaf cluster.

— Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
Christmas decorations linger into summer, and grasses grow high through rusting cars.

— Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of decoration

Verb

Zuckerberg and Wang want Muse Wonder and the more powerful Muse Wonder Full to drive Muse, Meta’s personal AI agent, which can act on people’s behalf.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
To help banish the endless procrastination, National Geographic’s 2027 list of 25 must-visit destinations for the year ahead is one of its most timely and experience-driven recommendations yet.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of drive

Noun

Many sought wage garnishments, but none charged as high as 18% annual interest on bills, the rate Marshall tacked on.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
The women faced debts far beyond their capacity to pay, with possible wage garnishment, loss of assets and federal collection lawsuits.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of garnishment

Browse Nearby Words

set in motion

set off

setoff

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Set off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20off. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of set off

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

asunder

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes