as in to trigger
to cause to function
set off a bomb
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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.
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
-
Last month, a Ward 2 resident initiated the process of gathering signatures to trigger a recall election of Richardson.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Oct. 2025
-
This has triggered debate among people with historic association to United.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The six-foot tree features 1,471 branches to create a fluffy, vibrant green centerpiece that’s perfect for hanging ornaments.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Species such as Grant’s gazelles, Thomson’s gazelles, Southern reedbucks, and Impalas are commonly poached for meat, horns (used in traditional medicine and ornaments) and skins.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
This interplay underscored a broader theme: form itself can be a form of ornamentation.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Around her neck, a rope of heavy onyx beads provided practical ornamentation.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Sylvia said fire crews had to access the scene by driving in the wrong direction from 59th Street.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Bouchard is one of the NHL’s most polarizing defensemen, but there’s no denying his elite play-driving numbers on the top pair — even in non-Connor McDavid and non-Leon Draisaitl minutes.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And people wrote letters to the courts saying wage garnishment would exacerbate their already dire financial situations.—
Rae Ellen Bichell,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
In Virginia, the state's conservative Republican governor this year signed a measure restricting wage garnishment and capping interest rates.—
Noam Levey,
NPR,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Set off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20off. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share