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
Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
Advertisement For Koh, the paper set off a light bulb.
—Alice Park, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
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
The thousands of balsas that set off from Cuba towards the United States in late summer of 1994 did so amidst the most dire humanitarian crisis that had beset the island since the 1959 Revolution.
—Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
Advertisement For Koh, the paper set off a light bulb.
—Alice Park, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
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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Solar storms—giant bursts of energy from the Sun that disturb the Earth’s magnetic field—may play a role in triggering heart attacks, particularly in women, a new study has found.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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To trigger this effect, the researchers used nanoscale slots in a thin layer of gold, each about a thousand times thinner than a sheet of cling wrap.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Stores are already stocking their shelves with garland and ornaments, but now’s the best time to snag a Christmas tree before the rush.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
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When a small mishap threats the holiday sparkle, a new dinosaur ornament called Chris goes on a quest to find his missing hat and prove himself to the others.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, Mercury and Mars are activating your sector of expansion, meaning your inner philosopher is loud.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
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There was no official announcement from Washington that the California National Guard was being called up and sent to Oregon, just as was the case when Illinois’ governor made a similar announcement Saturday about troops in his state being activated.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This interplay underscored a broader theme: form itself can be a form of ornamentation.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Sep. 2025
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Around her neck, a rope of heavy onyx beads provided practical ornamentation.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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TikToker and books commentator Kenzie Deerin, who was introduced to the series in middle school, says the vampiric tale sparked her love for the fantasy romance genre.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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The health care reforms in the One Big Beautiful Bill have sparked anxiety in some parts of the state that rely heavily on Medicaid.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Currently, more than 2,000 items are on sale in the outlet section, including furniture, bedding, and Halloween decorations.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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Ha-Ha-Halloween Song If your toddler is still a tad freaked out by all the skeletons and ghosts appearing around their neighborhood in the form of creepy decorations, and the prospect of dressing up just doesn’t sound appealing, CoComelon can help.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While OpenAI says that scaling is key to driving innovation and future AI breakthroughs, investors and analysts are beginning to raise their eyebrows over the mindboggling sums.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
29 Sep. 2025
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And entertainment, in my opinion, drives fashion culture.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And people wrote letters to the courts saying wage garnishment would exacerbate their already dire financial situations.—
Rae Ellen Bichell,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
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Panic sets in, especially if the caller threatens arrest, wage garnishment or lawsuits.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Set off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20off. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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