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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.

Staff had set in motion new rule-making to restrict U.S. sales of those products before they were put on hold and office leadership dismissed, according to officials familiar with the process.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

The change that was set in motion during that visit would later become Universal Credit, a benefit that now supports more than eight million people.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 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

Their grief and fury set in motion the countervailing force of justice that, no matter how belated, cannot be denied.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

In coffins for the not dead and not alive, in planked boxes, the metronomes waited to be set in motion.

From "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury