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
Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 July 2025
And that, amid a global jump in coffee bean prices caused in part by trade disruptions and climate change, has set off simmering anxiety among Italians.
—Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, 12 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
On July 4, lightning struck a palm tree near the Sanford Marina, setting off fireworks hours before the city’s Independence Day celebration at Fort Mellon Park.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 July 2025
And that, amid a global jump in coffee bean prices caused in part by trade disruptions and climate change, has set off simmering anxiety among Italians.
—Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, 12 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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Originally, Smith’s bonus would have been triggered if fiscal year 2030 revenue exceeded FY25 revenue by 50%.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
15 July 2025
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Regional emergency declarations are part of a broader trend across the U.S. this summer, as extreme weather has triggered catastrophic flooding in states including Texas and New Mexico.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 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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Their handbags would be architectural in shape, sleek and spare of overwrought ornamentation.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2025
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The Raw Edition from Copenhagen Distillery is a clear statement of intent, avoiding ornamentation and putting instead process and material at the forefront.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Verb
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The incident sparked many online and offline conversations and memes.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
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This radical lifestyle shift sparked a DIY renaissance.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 July 2025
Noun
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And don’t underestimate the power of beauty—not as decoration, but as revelation.—
Matthew Clark Davison,
Literary Hub,
18 July 2025
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Consequently, there’s a race against the clock to finish the floats and decorations before time runs out.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
11 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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Top-of-funnel marketing drives awareness that manifests through other channels.—
Cody Greco,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
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
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Defaulted borrowers at risk of wage garnishment Student loan collections efforts had largely been on pause since the pandemic began in March 2020, but Trump administration officials have said that taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook when people don’t repay their education debt.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Set off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20off. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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