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Definitions

set off

ADJECTIVE
mounted
Synonyms
STRONG
reinforced strengthened
WEAK
pasted on
Antonyms
WEAK
afoot dismounted unhorsed
VERB
atone
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apologize redeem
STRONG
absolve answer appease balance correct counterbalance expiate offset outweigh pay propitiate recompense reconcile redress repair square
WEAK
do penance make amends make redress make reparation make up for pay one's dues take one's medicine
Antonyms
STRONG
disagree spoil
VERB
beautify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adorn bedeck decorate
STRONG
array deck embellish enhance garnish gild glamorize grace improve ornament prettify trim
WEAK
dress up make up
Antonyms
STRONG
decrease harm hurt uglify worsen
WEAK
disfigure injure mar spoil
VERB
become
Synonyms
STRONGEST
belong to
STRONG
accord adorn agree augment display embellish enrich fit flatter garnish grace harmonize heighten match ornament suit
WEAK
be appropriate go together go with make handsome
Antonyms
STRONG
decrease disagree hurt leave plain mar oppose refuse uglify withhold
VERB
border
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abut adjoin encircle flank neighbor surround
STRONG
bind circumscribe communicate contour decorate define delineate edge enclose frame fringe hem join line march margin outline rim side skirt touch trim verge
WEAK
be adjacent to mark off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
let go
STRONG
center free loose lose release
WEAK
be inside
VERB
circulate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
rotate travel
STRONG
actuate circle gyrate mobilize radiate revolve wander
WEAK
fly about get about get around go about mill around move around
Antonyms
STRONGEST
stay
STRONG
stop
WEAK
block
VERB
compensate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fix improve repair
STRONG
abrogate annul balance better counteract counterbalance counterpoise countervail invalidate negate negative neutralize nullify outweigh redress
WEAK
atone for cancel out make amends
Antonyms
STRONGEST
break damage destroy hurt injure
STRONG
approve permit support validate worsen
WEAK
deprive fine forfeit lose penalize
VERB
contrast
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contradict diverge vary
STRONG
balance bracket collate conflict depart deviate differentiate disagree distinguish hang mismatch oppose separate weigh
WEAK
be a foil to be contrary to be dissimilar be diverse be unlike be variable hold a candle to match up set in opposition stack up against stand out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agree
STRONG
aid harmonize help join stay
WEAK
accord be alike be equal be similar coincide concur conform
VERB
counterbalance
Synonyms
STRONGEST
counteract outweigh rectify
STRONG
amend balance cancel compensate correct counterpoise countervail equalize redeem
WEAK
atone for make up for
Antonyms
STRONG
disproportion forfeit imbalance lose
VERB
differentiate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comprehend discern discriminate extricate separate
STRONG
characterize contrast demarcate individualize individuate know mark redline sever severalize
WEAK
antithesize discrepate know what's what mark off set apart split hairs tell apart
Antonyms
STRONGEST
misinterpret mistake misunderstand
WEAK
allow associate confuse connect group leave link mix up
VERB
discharge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
detonate shoot
STRONG
blast explode fire
WEAK
let off shoot off
Antonyms
WEAK
hold load
VERB
distinguish
Synonyms
STRONGEST
analyze categorize characterize determine differentiate discriminate divide figure out identify know qualify recognize separate
STRONG
ascertain classify collate decide demarcate diagnose estimate extricate finger individualize individuate judge label mark name part pinpoint place select sift signalize singularize specify spot tag
WEAK
determinate diagnosticate make out mark off set apart single out sort out tell apart tell between tell from
Antonyms
STRONGEST
allow combine confuse connect join link miss misunderstand mix up unite
STRONG
ignore lose overlook
VERB
effectuate
Synonyms
STRONG
accomplish achieve cause create execute generate make produce trigger
WEAK
bring about bring off carry out carry through
Antonyms
STRONG
abandon destroy fail halt lose miss ruin stop
VERB
explode
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blast break out burst collapse detonate erupt flare up mushroom rupture shatter
STRONG
backfire blaze convulse discharge fracture jet shiver split thunder
WEAK
blow to kingdom come flame up kablooey let go
Antonyms
STRONGEST
mend
WEAK
implode prove
VERB
feature
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advertise emphasize headline mark present promote spotlight star
STRONG
accentuate blaze italicize stress underline underscore
WEAK
call attention to make conspicuous play up point up
Antonyms
WEAK
disregard ignore
VERB
fire
Synonyms
STRONGEST
discharge explode hurl launch shoot
STRONG
cast eject fling heave loose pitch shell toss
WEAK
let off pull trigger touch off
VERB
flatter
Synonyms
STRONG
adorn beautify become decorate embellish enrich finish grace ornament perfect suit
WEAK
do something for go with put in best light show to advantage
Antonyms
STRONG
disfigure mar spoil uglify
WEAK
mismatch
VERB
garnish
Synonyms
STRONG
adorn beautify bedeck deck decorate enhance grace ornament trim
WEAK
dress up fix up gussy up spiff up spruce up
Antonyms
STRONG
mar
WEAK
decrease divest harm hurt leave plain strip
VERB
go
Synonyms
STRONGEST
flee fly leave move pass progress retire travel
STRONG
abscond approach cruise decamp depart escape exit fare hie hightail journey lam mosey near quit repair split vamoose wend withdraw
WEAK
beat it bug out get away get going get lost get off hit the road light out make a break for it make for make one's way move out pull out push off push on run along run away shove off skip out take a hike take a powder take flight take leave take off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
remain stay stop
STRONG
arrive wait
VERB
grace
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adorn bedeck decorate
STRONG
crown deck dignify distinguish elevate enhance enrich favor garnish glorify honor laureate ornament
Antonyms
STRONG
condemn decrease degrade demote denounce disgrace dishonor humiliate hurt lower reduce shame
WEAK
uglify
VERB
incite
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abet agitate arouse encourage exhort foment inflame inspire instigate motivate prompt provoke rouse spur trigger urge whip up
STRONG
activate actuate animate coax craze drive excite force forward further goad impel induce influence inspirit persuade prick promote push raise set solicit stimulate taunt
WEAK
egg on fan the fire get to juice key up psych put up to stir up talk into work up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block calm dampen depress deter discourage dissuade halt lull prevent quiet soothe stop tranquilize
STRONG
cease check deaden delay finish hinder impede repress suppress
WEAK
prohibit
VERB
individualize
Synonyms
STRONG
analyze ascertain categorize characterize classify collate decide demarcate determine diagnose differentiate discriminate divide estimate extricate finger identify individuate judge know label mark name part pinpoint place qualify recognize select separate sift signalize singularize specify spot tag
WEAK
determinate diagnosticate figure out make out mark off set apart single out sort out tell apart tell between tell from
Antonyms
STRONG
allow combine confuse connect disarrange forget hesitate ignore join link lose miss misunderstand mix up overlook unite
VERB
intensify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
add to aggravate boost build up deepen enhance escalate exacerbate heat up heighten increase quicken raise redouble reinforce sharpen step up strengthen
STRONG
accent accentuate aggrandize augment brighten concentrate darken emphasize exalt lighten magnify point rise rouse spike stress whet
WEAK
add fuel beef up intensate pour it on tone up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decrease diminish discourage dull halt help hinder hurt lessen lower reduce slow soften soothe subtract undermine weaken
STRONG
darken debase degrade depress play down upset
WEAK
calm
VERB
make up
Synonyms
WEAK
accommodate atone balance bury the hatchet come to terms compose conciliate counterbalance counterpoise countervail forgive and forget make amends make peace mend offset outweigh pacify recompense redeem redress requite settle shake hands
Antonyms
WEAK
disagree
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 in motion
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 in motion
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disorganize
STRONG
discourage disperse dissuade divide repress retard scatter separate slow stop
WEAK
check demobilize end halt hold back
VERB
offset
Synonyms
STRONGEST
balance cancel out counteract equal negate neutralize outweigh
STRONG
account charge counterpoise counterpose countervail equalize equipoise recompense redeem requite
WEAK
allow for atone for be equivalent make amends make up for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve disproportion
VERB
outweigh
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cancel out counterbalance eclipse exceed offset overcome overshadow prevail surpass
STRONG
balance compensate counterpoise countervail excel outbalance outrival outrun predominate preponderate
WEAK
atone for make up for take precedence tip the scales
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fail fall behind lose surrender
VERB
produce
Synonyms
STRONGEST
generate make
STRONG
beget breed engender hatch induce muster occasion provoke secure
WEAK
bring about draw on get up give rise to make for result in work up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
destroy
STRONG
halt prevent stop
WEAK
act consume play result ruin
VERB
redeem
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compensate offset rehabilitate restore satisfy
STRONG
absolve acquit balance counterbalance counterpoise countervail defray discharge fulfill keep meet outweigh perform redress reinstate save
WEAK
abide by adhere to carry out hold to keep the faith make amends make good make up for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
damage destroy hurt
STRONG
blame condemn convict fail hold let go miss neglect sentence
WEAK
abandon disregard forfeit ignore lose
VERB
sequester
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cloister close off insulate segregate
STRONG
hide secrete separate withdraw
WEAK
cut off draw back enisle island set apart
Antonyms
STRONG
lay bare reveal tell uncover
WEAK
bring out make public
VERB
shoot
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blast execute explode fire hit hurl kill launch murder open fire
STRONG
bag barrage bombard catapult dispatch emit expel fling gun ignite loose plug pop project propel pump torpedo trigger zap
WEAK
bring down drop the hammer let fly let go with open up pick off pull the trigger throw lead
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bear create fail
STRONG
conceal hold keep withhold
WEAK
backfire walk
VERB
spark
Synonyms
STRONGEST
kindle precipitate provoke stimulate stir trigger
STRONG
animate excite
WEAK
set in motion touch off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm check discourage halt stop wait
STRONG
deaden
WEAK
cease
VERB
trigger
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bring about cause generate produce prompt provoke spark start
STRONG
activate elicit
WEAK
give rise to set in motion
Antonyms
STRONGEST
destroy end halt prevent stop
WEAK
block check

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.

Vivien and Alice are summoned to an emergency meeting at the White House, where they are told that the signal that set off this strange event originated in China.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

There was nothing that set off alarm bells.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

The ship, which has now reached its final destination, set off to the Netherlands on 11 May with crew members and medical staff.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

That simple upload set off an extraordinary chain of events.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

And he set off at a swift lope across the rocks.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

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