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
Christine Pelisek, People.com, 30 July 2025
That would set off a mushrooming scramble of other statewide officeholders who were down the food chain to forgo reelection for a chance to win a higher prize.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 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 mom, Whitney Decker, reported her daughters missing to police later that night, setting off a frantic search for the four missing people.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 30 July 2025
That would set off a mushrooming scramble of other statewide officeholders who were down the food chain to forgo reelection for a chance to win a higher prize.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 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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In fact, Patrick's frustration with former Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, over vouchers and the House's decision to bring 20 impeachment charges against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2023 were triggering factors in setting up the speaker's race ahead of the start of session.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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The area is also prone to landslides which could be triggered by a quake.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
29 July 2025
Noun
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Experts believe that rice played a role in rituals that were performed in the cave, which also included fine pottery, shell pendants and ornaments.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
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Right now, Amazon has marked down window candles, pillow covers, ornaments, and string lights to celebrate Christmas in July.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Leo activates your solar 10th house, urging bold moves, leadership, and visibility.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
24 July 2025
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The wallet has already seen broad international adoption, with more than 100 million users globally having activated their wallets in 2024.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
22 July 2025
Noun
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Told by one of the firm’s senior partners to add ornamentation to the design for a pyramid atop an office building, Wells flatly refused.—
Henry Wiencek
July 22,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
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That is, minimal ornamentation with an emphasis on modern materials which made construction less expensive.—
Randy Mason,
Kansas City Star,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Once sparked, usually by lightning strikes, these dry areas have the right conditions to make huge fires.—
Andrew Montequin,
jsonline.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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Battles will also almost certainly resemble the combat sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
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To take advantage of all the fall offers, head to your nearest ALDI store and stock up fast—the fall decorations are sure to sell out quickly.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 July 2025
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The graduating senior was also prom queen who helped with planning activities that included the song playlist and picking out decorations.—
Andy Humbles,
The Tennessean,
14 July 2025
Verb
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That in turn drove low wages for workers, high staff turnover and limited capacity for children.—
Rachel Wegner,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
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Holmquist noted an increase in pay for bus drivers and the $11 million spent on stipends to parents who drove their kids to school after cuts were made to magnet transportation.—
Krista Johnson,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Trump’s first administration paused Treasury offset and wage garnishment during the pandemic.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
23 May 2025
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Efforts to resume collections officially kicked off in May, with the Department of Education (ED) warning that if appropriate steps are not taken to resolve the issue, student loan borrowers will be subject to wage garnishment and could see their credit scores take a significant hit.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Set off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20off. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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