set off

verbs

put in motion or move to act

"trigger a reaction"; "actuate the circuits"

activate, actuate, set off, spark, spark off, touch off, trigger, trigger off, trip

leave

"The family took off for Florida"

depart, part, set forth, set off, set out, start, start out, take off

direct attention to, as if by means of contrast

"This dress accentuates your nice figure!"; "I set off these words by brackets"

bring out, set off

cause to burst with a violent release of energy

"We exploded the nuclear bomb"

blow up, detonate, explode, set off

make up for

"His skills offset his opponent's superior strength"

cancel, offset, set off

set in motion or cause to begin

"The guide set the tour off to a good start"

set off

is a type of (narrower)

set in motion, cause to start

"The U.S. started a war in the Middle East"; "The Iraqis began hostilities"; "begin a new chapter in your life"

provoke or stir up

"incite a riot"; "set off great unrest among the people"

incite, instigate, set off, stir up