1. Structure where a wall or building narrows abruptly
   "The architect designed the building with a setoff on the tenth floor to create a rooftop garden";
   - setback, offset

1. Cause to start, provoke or initiate (usually something negative or violent)
   "set off a huge argument";
   - kick off [informal], touch off, spark off, spark, trigger
    
2. Put in motion, initiate (a device, reaction, circuit, etc)
   "set off the circuits";
   - trip, actuate, trigger, activate, spark off, spark, trigger off, touch off
    
3. Cause to burst with a violent release of energy
   "We set off the nuclear bomb";
   - explode, detonate, blow up
    
4. Head for somewhere else
   "The family set off for Florida";
   - depart, part, start, start out, set forth, set out, take off
    
5. Provoke or stir up
   "set off great unrest among the people";
   - incite, instigate, stir up
    
6. Direct attention to, as if by means of contrast
   "I set off these words by brackets";
   - bring out
    
7. Make up for
   "The savings set off the initial expenses";
   - cancel, offset

Derived forms: set off, sets off, setoffs, setting off

See also: set

Type of: accent, accentuate, balance, change integrity, construction, emphasise [Brit], emphasize, equilibrate, equilibrise [Brit], equilibrize, go away, go forth, initiate, leave, off [informal], pioneer, provoke, punctuate, stimulate, stress, structure

Encyclopedia: Set off