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
George Ramsay, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
When the Travel Club set off in March of 1932 on a nineteen-hour train ride from Indianapolis to the nation’s capital, Tate again brought along her camera.
—April White, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2025
Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2019
See All Example Sentences for set off
Verb
The lead group set off at a blistering pace, passing through the halfway mark in 1:08:46.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
When the Travel Club set off in March of 1932 on a nineteen-hour train ride from Indianapolis to the nation’s capital, Tate again brought along her camera.
—April White, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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 handling of the sensitive military discussions among Trump's brass also triggered widespread U.S. security concerns.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
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That change in pressure triggered the mantle rocks to melt—and created the molten reservoir that fueled the Virginia eruptions.—
Alexandra Witze,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Isabelle McCalla gives an endearing, heartfelt and sometimes tearful performance as Elinor, who sings poignantly about her desire to be more useful in society than just a child-bearing ornament.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
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The species’s presence in the U.K. dates back at least two hundred and fifty thousand years, and has inspired whimsical reverence—badgers appear across children’s literature and cartoons, on holiday ornaments, and as beloved mascots—and extreme loathing.—
Anna Russell,
The New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Troopers located the Tesla and allegedly observed the vehicle traveling in the center lane at approximately 30 mph with its four-way hazard lights activated.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
18 Apr. 2025
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Mars and Pluto activate your Leo-Aquarius axis on April 26, stirring questions about career, leadership, and emotional safety.—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Across the 20th century, a constellation of Black intellectuals and artists approached fashion not merely as ornamentation but as ontology.—
Achille Tenkiang,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2025
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This shift into ornamentation seems like a natural progression, particularly for Black designers as the Black home is rich in history, aesthetics, and storytelling.—
Kerane Marcellus,
Essence,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Johnnie was a high-ranking member of the Coney Island Brims gang, sparking concern there could be retaliatory violence over his killing, a law enforcement source said.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
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Fox News Digital recently reported that pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian agitators stormed a talk by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at Princeton, sparking criticism from Jewish students at Princeton.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Florida resident reportedly traveled to Washington, D.C., with Trump on Air Force One to assist with the decorations.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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The second-biggest exporter of Christmas decorations to the US is Cambodia, where factory wages are even lower than China, but Trump also imposed 49% tariffs on the small Southeast Asian nation, before the recent 90-day pause.—
Marc Stewart,
CNN Money,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Ontario Home Builders’ Association warned last month that tariffs and counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum products would likely drive up the costs of construction materials, making building and buying new homes more expensive, worsening the housing affordability issue.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
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The study found a 6% annual decline, driven by poaching, habitat loss and weak law enforcement.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Department of Education will begin collecting federal student loans in default on May 5, having issued a warning that borrowers could be referred to debt collectors, face a garnishment of wages or deal with other mandates to pay back the funds.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Apr. 2025
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Notices about wage garnishment are also expected to go out later this summer.—
Melissa Noel,
Essence,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Set off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20off. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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