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
Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025
The paramilitaries said the agreement, which was signed in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, would pave the way for peace after nearly two years of a war that has killed thousands of people and set off a devastating famine.
—Declan Walsh, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2019
See All Example Sentences for set off
Verb
Suspicious of Cameron’s motives, Iris steals the code and goes on the run, setting off a cat-and-mouse chase with the clock ticking for Iris to figure out what the code could unleash before she is found.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025
The paramilitaries said the agreement, which was signed in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, would pave the way for peace after nearly two years of a war that has killed thousands of people and set off a devastating famine.
—Declan Walsh, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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 Miami-Dade Police officer who pulled over Miami Dolphins’ superstar Tyreek Hill — triggering a chaotic series of events that led to him and a fellow player in handcuffs — has a history of using force during his five years with the department.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
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Smartphone manufacturers will be allowed to design the widget experience for their lock screens; decide when a lock screen is triggered and preset their preferred widgets, for example.—
Jibin Joseph,
PCMAG,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The retro ornament, which ranged from florals and bows to more surrealist motifs, added a touch of whimsy to plenty of outerwear and monochrome looks.—
Irina Grechko,
refinery29.com,
25 Feb. 2025
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The 113 items—which include plaques, personal ornaments and figures—are currently housed in the Wereldmuseum Leiden, part of the country’s National Museum of World Cultures.—
Karen K. Ho,
ARTnews.com,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Leo full moon activates themes of intimacy and transformation, encouraging you to dive deeper into your emotional connections.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Mar. 2025
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The following year, on Oct. 21, the fledgling military branch activated Space Operations Command at Peterson Air Force Base (now Peterson Space Force Base) in Colorado.—
Julian Dossett,
Space.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In an era where contemporary architecture often relies on cladding and heavy ornamentation, Paradero celebrates simplicity.—
Natalie Stoclet,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
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Simple forms and geometries abound, with a distinct lack of more organic elements like curved shapes, soft textures, and overly decorative ornamentation.—
Lauren Gallow,
Architectural Digest,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Moore’s exit will spark widespread speculation over who will replace her at the BBC.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2025
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Pioneering The Future Of Retail The rise of AI in retail has sparked concerns about job displacement.—
Gurhan Kok,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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There is also going to be a future patch that moves beyond purely technical issues to get into some of the larger problems in the game, and Capcom has made a long list of changes and fixes coming in that next update: Equipment loadouts can remove decorations, Bowgun customization and Kinsects.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
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Walls display Black History Month decorations, a tree made of pink paper hearts and posters of historical figures like the Wright brothers and George Washington Carver.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The other victims include the 26-year-old driving the BMW, his 23-year-old passenger and the front passenger of the Camry.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
Orlando Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2025
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Decision-makers have an opportunity to ensure that the very tools designed to drive revenue don’t end up stifling creativity.—
Seth Yudof,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Prosecutors said Sessler's scheme involved filing false garnishment papers against two of his low income tenants.—
Cary Spivak,
Journal Sentinel,
1 May 2024
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Zoom in: The bureau's website helps users navigate child support enforcement, paying debts and wage garnishment.—
April Rubin,
Axios,
3 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Set off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20off. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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