WordWeb Online

1. Structure where a wall or building narrows abruptly
   - set-back, offset

1. Put in motion, initiate (a device, reaction, circuit, etc)
   "set off the circuits";
   - actuate, trigger, activate, spark off, spark, trigger off, touch off
    
2. Head for somewhere else
   "The family set off for Florida";
   - depart, part, start, start out, set forth, set out, take off
    
3. Direct attention to, as if by means of contrast
   "I set off these words by brackets";
   - bring out
    
4. Cause to burst with a violent release of energy
   "We set off the nuclear bomb";
   - explode, detonate, blow up
    
5. Make up for
   "His skills set off his opponent's superior strength";
   - cancel, offset
    
6. Set in motion or cause to begin
    
7. Provoke or stir up
   "set off great unrest among the people";
   - incite, instigate, stir up
    
8. 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

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

See also: set

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

Encyclopedia: Set off