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
Rudy Lu, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2026
The United States pulled off a daring rescue of two aviators whose fighter jet was shot down by Iran, plucking the pilot from behind enemy lines before setting off a complicated extraction of the second service member who hid deep in the mountains as Tehran called for Iranians to help capture him.
—Seung Min Kim, Fortune, 5 Apr. 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
As the oil and gas crisis set off by the war in Iran drives governments to accelerate their transitions to renewable energy, one country above all stands to benefit.
—Rudy Lu, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2026
The United States pulled off a daring rescue of two aviators whose fighter jet was shot down by Iran, plucking the pilot from behind enemy lines before setting off a complicated extraction of the second service member who hid deep in the mountains as Tehran called for Iranians to help capture him.
—Seung Min Kim, Fortune, 5 Apr. 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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The district is projected to run out of cash in September, which would trigger a state takeover.—
Scott Lebar. Story produced with AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
5 Apr. 2026
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The images of that crash were shared widely online and caught Noah Williams' attention, triggering painful memories and taking him back to the day his own life changed forever.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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These adorable multicolor glasses look like they’re inspired by spring garden ornaments.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
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This Clinton resident creates oyster ornaments from shells collected at Madison’s Hammonasset State Park.—
Sarah Kyrcz,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Amir Levy/Getty Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia all activated their air defense systems to intercept incoming Iranian missiles and drones, as Tehran kept up the pressure on its Gulf neighbors.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Each step is engineered to activate the next -- prepare with Pre-Exfoliating Foam, exfoliate with the Exfoliating Body Glove Set, cleanse with The Body Wash and nourish with The Dry Body Oil.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The receptionist works behind a period cabinet converted into the sort of desk Philip Marlowe would happily put his feet on and Art Deco ornamentations abound, from the beautiful clocks, to the slightly sinister candlesticks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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Pale, dusty hues enhance natural light, offering a subtle counterpoint to the rich ornamentation, while ceiling paintings by Vicke Andrén, celebrated for his work at the Royal Swedish Opera, underscore the apartment’s artistic importance.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At 5 foot 9, 191 pounds, his 586 touches over the past two seasons do spark the question of how long the smaller-bodied Achane can last taking on such a heavy workload.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
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Three assailants opened fire at police outside a building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, sparking a gunfight that left one attacker dead, Turkish officials said.—
Suzan Fraser,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Seasonal and holiday decorations are especially popular thrift store finds, particularly during the fall and winter months, says Pinto.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
4 Apr. 2026
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Classy baby shower decor Floral decorations are fun and attractive.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Zuckerman is among tens of thousands of patients who drove an explosive demand for prescriptions for Novo’s pill just three months into its launch.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
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Calls to temporarily pause gas taxes have gained traction in recent days as prices at the pump climb dramatically, largely driven by supply disruptions resulting from the war in Iran.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Negotiate directly with the creditor Creditors generally prefer getting paid even a portion of the balance over managing ongoing legal proceedings and dealing with the garnishment process, so negotiating with them can often result in a positive outcome.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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This generally includes actions like wage garnishment and bank levies.—
Rebecca Safier,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Set off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20off. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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