Definitions

set in motion

VERB

activate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

call up mobilize stimulate switch on trigger turn on

STRONG

actuate arouse energize impel motivate move prompt propel rouse start stir

WEAK

actify take out of mothballs

Antonyms

STRONGEST

check end halt stop

STRONG

calm discourage dissuade

WEAK

arrest

VERB

begin

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commence create do establish found go ahead go into inaugurate initiate introduce launch lead make open prepare produce set up start undertake

STRONG

activate actualize cause drive effect eventuate generate impel induce instigate institute motivate mount occasion originate trigger

WEAK

break ground break the ice bring about bring to pass embark on enter on enter upon get going give birth to give impulse lay foundation for make active plunge into set about

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease close conclude destroy end fail finish halt ignore lose neglect ruin stop

STRONG

check discourage dissuade prevent repress

WEAK

complete consummate die

VERB

bring into play

Synonyms

WEAK

call into play draw on draw upon impress muster press into service recruit

VERB

impel

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compel induce oblige

STRONG

actuate boost constrain drive excite foment force goad influence inspire instigate jog lash mobilize motivate move poke power press prod propel push require shove spur start stimulate thrust urge

Antonyms

STRONGEST

hinder

STRONG

calm check depress discourage dissuade end halt leave alone let go prevent pull repress stop

WEAK

delay slow suppress

VERB

inaugurate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commence dedicate induct initiate introduce launch open set up

STRONG

bow commission institute invest jump ordain originate start

WEAK

break in break the ice get things rolling get under way instate kick off make up usher in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease close conclude end finish stop

STRONG

retract

WEAK

adjourn uninstall

VERB

induce

Synonyms

STRONGEST

activate breed bring about cause coax convince engender generate lead to motivate persuade produce promote prompt urge

STRONG

abet actuate bulldoze cajole draw effect get goose impel incite influence instigate make move occasion press procure soft-soap squeeze steamroll sway sweet-talk wheedle

WEAK

argue into bring around draw in get up give rise to prevail upon sell one on suck in talk into twist one's arm win over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

destroy discourage dissuade halt kill prevent stop

STRONG

delay deter fail impede leave alone lose repel stay

WEAK

hinder

VERB

initiate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

begin commence inaugurate institute launch open set up take up trigger

STRONG

admit enter induct install intro invest originate pioneer

WEAK

break the ice come out with come up with dream up get ball rolling get feet wet get under way instate kick off make up take in usher in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block cease close complete conclude end finish halt stop

STRONG

expel reject

WEAK

ignore neglect terminate

VERB

instate

Synonyms

WEAK

admit begin break the ice come out with come up with commence dream up enter get ball rolling get feet wet get under way inaugurate induct install institute intro invest kick off launch make up open originate pioneer set up take in take up trigger usher in

VERB

institute

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appoint come up with create enact establish inaugurate initiate install introduce launch organize set up

STRONG

bow commence constitute fix found induct invest open ordain originate pioneer rev settle start

WEAK

break in bring into being come out with make up open up usher in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

close conclude destroy end finish refuse ruin stop

STRONG

complete ignore unsettle

WEAK

cease halt prevent

VERB

launch

Synonyms

STRONG

barrage blast off bombard bung cast catapult discharge dispatch drive eject fling heave hurl lance lift off pitch project propel shoot sling throw toss

WEAK

fire send forth set afloat

Antonyms

STRONG

catch hold keep receive

WEAK

cease end finish stop

VERB

militarize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

impel

STRONG

activate actuate animate assemble catalyze circulate drive equip gather marshal mobilize muster organize prepare propel rally ready

WEAK

call to arms call up get ready make ready put in motion set off

Antonyms

STRONG

check discourage disorganize disperse divide halt hold back retard scatter separate stop

VERB

mobilize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assemble marshal organize prepare

STRONG

activate actuate animate catalyze circulate drive gather impel muster propel rally ready

WEAK

call to arms call up get ready make ready put in motion set off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disorganize

STRONG

discourage disperse dissuade divide repress retard scatter separate slow stop

WEAK

check demobilize end halt hold back

VERB

open

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commence convene inaugurate initiate launch meet start

STRONG

bow embark jump sit

WEAK

begin business get things rolling kick off raise the curtain ring in set up shop start the ball rolling

Antonyms

STRONGEST

adjourn cancel cease close complete conclude end finish ignore stop

WEAK

block bury cover exclude hide hinder shut

VERB

originate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

conceive develop discover evolve found generate hatch initiate invent produce spark spawn

STRONG

cause coin compose form formulate inaugurate innovate institute launch make parent pioneer procreate start

WEAK

break the ice bring about come up with give birth to open up set up think up usher in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease decrease destroy end halt stop

STRONG

finish kill prevent ruin

WEAK

effect result terminate

VERB

proceed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advance continue get go ahead go on pass press on progress travel

STRONG

fare hie journey march repair wend

WEAK

get going get on with get under way make a start move on move out push on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease decrease discontinue fail finish halt lose retreat retrogress stop yield

STRONG

stay

WEAK

return wait

VERB

propel

Synonyms

STRONGEST

drive push send shoot thrust

STRONG

actuate force impel launch mobilize move press shove start

WEAK

set going

Antonyms

STRONGEST

discourage dissuade pull repress

STRONG

end finish stop

WEAK

hinder hold keep

VERB

shake

Synonyms

STRONGEST

convulse disturb jolt rattle rock roil shudder sway swing upset wave

STRONG

agitate brandish bump chatter churn commove concuss discompose disquiet dither dodder flap flicker flit flitter flourish fluctuate flutter jar jerk jog joggle jounce move oscillate palpitate perturb quail quake quaver reel ruffle shimmer shimmy shiver stagger succuss totter tremor twitter vibrate waggle water whip wobble

WEAK

stir up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

steady

STRONG

be still

VERB

spark

Synonyms

STRONGEST

kindle precipitate provoke set off stimulate stir trigger

STRONG

animate excite

WEAK

touch off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm check discourage halt stop wait

STRONG

deaden

WEAK

cease

VERB

start

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appear begin commence create establish found inaugurate initiate introduce issue launch leave open set up

STRONG

activate arise arouse depart embark engender incite instigate institute light originate pioneer rise rouse spring

WEAK

come into being enter upon get going get under way go ahead hit the road lay foundation make a beginning sally forth see light set out take first step take the plunge turn on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease close conclude destroy end finish hold back keep ruin stop

STRONG

halt prevent stay

WEAK

complete die

VERB

trigger

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bring about cause generate produce prompt provoke set off spark start

STRONG

activate elicit

WEAK

give rise to

Antonyms

STRONGEST

destroy end halt prevent stop

WEAK

block check

VERB

turn on

Synonyms

STRONGEST

activate log on put on switch on

WEAK

begin energize get started ignite initiate introduce put in gear start up

Antonyms

WEAK

close end finish shut down turn off

VERB

undertake

Synonyms

STRONGEST

begin commence guarantee initiate launch offer shoulder tackle try

STRONG

agree bargain commit contract covenant devote embark endeavor hazard move pledge promise stake stipulate venture volunteer

WEAK

address oneself answer for commit oneself enter upon fall into go about go for go in for go into have a hand in have a try make a run at pitch in set about set out take on take the plunge take upon oneself try out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease complete conclude deny end finish neglect refuse stop

STRONG

break disagree discourage stay

WEAK

abstain forego forget

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Ariosto convincingly argues that we are still in the early days of the revolution that Mr. Musk set in motion by developing the ability to reuse rockets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

The researchers found that the crystals, made from an iron-containing compound called heme, are set in motion by the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026

The deal between the two cities will "set in motion a cross-boundary, trade-clearing system for the precious metal", Lee said.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

His death set in motion the US invasion of Panama four days later, on 20 December.

From BBC • Dec. 16, 2025

The actions set in motion by the little hammers were then translated back up through a series of rods that led into the man’s torso.

From "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick

set in motion

Example Sentences

Related Words