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
  • Not to be all nostalgic, but there is a long history of the Steppenwolf audience showing up precisely to be provoked, made to think, or satirized themselves.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • But can his way of working still provoke a new way of seeing?
    — Michael Brenson, Vogue, 1 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
  • He was sentenced to six years for inciting terrorism and extremism.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In 2020, following Election Day, a crowd stormed a vote-counting center in Detroit, many incited by online conspiracy theories about election fraud.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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