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
Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
The shift also can set off a scramble to find new doctors or specialists that accept the patient’s insurance.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 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
Hundreds of roadblocks set off by cartel violence were reported across 20 Mexican states, most of them in Jalisco, following Oseguera Cervantes' death, Noticias Telemundo reported.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
The shift also can set off a scramble to find new doctors or specialists that accept the patient’s insurance.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 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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Thermal runaway is a self-sustaining chain reaction where a little bit of pressure or heat starts producing even more heat, leading to a rapid rise in temperature that can trigger deadly fires or explosions.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
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Some financial advisors question whether Trump account gifts meet that criteria, which could trigger gift tax return filing requirements.—
Jessica Dickler,Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Putting up the Christmas tree last year with ornaments Ryan and his sister made was tough, Gary said.—
Emma Hurt,
AJC.com,
19 Feb. 2026
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Photo renderings of the hotel show windows shaped like Tetris blocks and a red three-pronged ornament along the main tower designed to resemble the Atari logo.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The governor also activated an additional 150 members of the Massachusetts National Guard to assist with the response.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
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Crushing or chopping garlic activates allicin, its key compound, and fresh ginger provides gingerol.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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His photographs vibrate with the excess of their ornamentation, with an audacity of presence that exceeds the realm of the emblematic.—
Zoë Hopkins,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
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Its tapered legs and subtle ornamentation give it an old world quality that still looks right at home in a contemporary designscape.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Oseguera Cervantes' death has since sparked widespread violence by cartels against the Mexican government.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
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By Rachel Metz, Bloomberg Anthropic PBC is expanding the reach of its Claude chatbot into new sectors, weeks after the startup sparked a market meltdown with the release of tools that raised questions about AI’s potential to render entire businesses obsolete.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The most elaborate of these suites spanned the top floors of houses and were filled with thoughtful decorations and toys.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
22 Feb. 2026
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Throughout the procession, tributes to the Year of the Horse appeared in many forms, including school mascots, papier-mâché horse heads and inflatable decorations.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The introduction of rats, dogs, cats and stoats, as well as hunting by people and destruction of native forest habitats, drove species of the country’s flourishing flightless birds — the kakapo among them — to near or complete extinction.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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Set the scene Any drive through Napa is a treat, and coming north from San Francisco is like driving through the history of New World winemaking.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Once you're placed in CNC status, the IRS temporarily stops collection efforts — meaning no more wage garnishments or bank levies — though interest and penalties continue to accrue, and the IRS will reassess your financial situation periodically.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Many of its cases involve more complex situations, such as wage garnishments, bank levies or tax liens.—
Deane Biermeier,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Set off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20off. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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