1
: something that is set off against another thing:
a
2
: the reduction or discharge of a debt or claim by setting against it a distinct claim in favor of the debtor or party who is the object of the first claim (as in a lawsuit)
also
: the offsetting claim itself
3
set off; setting off; sets off
1
2
a
: offset, compensate
more variety in the Lancashire weather to set off its most disagreeable phases—
Geog. Jour.
Geog. Jour.
b
: to make a setoff of
the respective totals shall be set off against one another—O. R. Hobson
O. R. Hobson3
a
: to set in motion : cause to begin
b
: to cause to explode
4
: to measure off on a surface
: to start out on a course or a journey
set off for home
Synonyms
Examples of setoff in a Sentence
Noun
the architect used stone carvings as setoffs for the building's marble facing
Recent Examples on the WebRoni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2019
Don Clark, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
That set off a 60-day clock within which the land deal could have been finalized and Resolution handed the keys.
—The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
Sterling's death set off a wave of protests against police brutality, including one that began outside of the Baton Rouge Police Department on July 9, 2016.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2024
Starring Ryan Reynolds, the film imagines a world where one little girl can see everyone else’s imaginary friends — and sets off to reunite the figments with their owners.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
Simpson’s acquittal set off celebrations from those who pointed to historically unjust treatment of Black people by the U.S. justice system.
—Jason Rossi, The Enquirer, 11 Apr. 2024
Something set off some unique gravitational waves from 650 million light-years away.
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
Burglars gained access to the building and entered the vault without setting off the alarms.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Officials warn the strikes could set off environmental disaster.
—Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Noun
That setoff a worldwide hunt for the impact site.
—Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2019
Verb
The pandemic set off a global shortage of semiconductors that crippled major industries and shed light on the vulnerabilities in the domestic supply chain for chips, motivating lawmakers to pass the CHIPS Act.
—Don Clark, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
That set off a 60-day clock within which the land deal could have been finalized and Resolution handed the keys.
—The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
Sterling's death set off a wave of protests against police brutality, including one that began outside of the Baton Rouge Police Department on July 9, 2016.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2024
Starring Ryan Reynolds, the film imagines a world where one little girl can see everyone else’s imaginary friends — and sets off to reunite the figments with their owners.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
Simpson’s acquittal set off celebrations from those who pointed to historically unjust treatment of Black people by the U.S. justice system.
—Jason Rossi, The Enquirer, 11 Apr. 2024
Something set off some unique gravitational waves from 650 million light-years away.
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
Burglars gained access to the building and entered the vault without setting off the alarms.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Officials warn the strikes could set off environmental disaster.
—Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'setoff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near setoff
Cite this Entry
“Setoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/setoff. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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