set off

Definitions of set off
  1. verb
    direct attention to, as if by means of contrast
    “I set off these words by brackets”
    synonyms: bring out
    see moresee less
    types:
    pick up
    lift out or reflect from a background
    foreground, highlight, play up, spotlight
    move into the foreground to make more visible or prominent
    raise
    bring (a surface or a design) into relief and cause to project
    type of:
    accent, accentuate, emphasise, emphasize, punctuate, stress
    to stress, single out as important
  2. verb
    set in motion or cause to begin
    see moresee less
    type of:
    begin, commence, lead off, start
    set in motion, cause to start
  3. verb
    put in motion or move to act
    synonyms: activate, actuate, spark, spark off, touch off, trigger, trigger off, trip
    see moresee less
    type of:
    initiate, pioneer
    take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
  4. verb
    provoke or stir up
    “set off great unrest among the people”
    synonyms: incite, instigate, stir up
    see moresee less
    types:
    raise
    activate or stir up
    type of:
    provoke, stimulate
    provide the needed stimulus for
  5. verb
    cause to burst with a violent release of energy
    synonyms: blow up, detonate, explode
    see moresee less
    types:
    fulminate
    cause to explode violently and with loud noise
    dynamite
    blow up with dynamite
    type of:
    change integrity
    change in physical make-up
  6. verb
    make up for
    synonyms: cancel, offset
    see moresee less
    types:
    counteract, counterbalance, countervail, neutralize
    oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions
    override
    counteract the normal operation of (an automatic gear shift in a vehicle)
    type of:
    balance, equilibrate, equilibrise, equilibrize
    bring into balance or equilibrium
  7. verb
    leave
    synonyms: depart, part, set forth, set out, start, start out, take off
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 4 types...
    hide 4 types...
    lift off, take off
    depart from the ground
    roar off
    leave
    blaze, blaze out
    move rapidly and as if blazing
    sally forth, sally out
    set out in a sudden, energetic or violent manner
    type of:
    go away, go forth, leave
    go away from a place
Word Family