Cause and Set off

Cause

Cause verb - To be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind).

Set off is a synonym for cause in start topic. In some cases you can use "Set off" instead a verb "Cause".

Set off

Set off verb - To cause to function.

Cause is a synonym for set off in effect topic. Sometimes you can use "Cause" instead a verb "Set off", if it concerns topics such as cause to happen.

Both terms in one sentence

  • This will set off an alarm, but fear not, this will not cause zombies to attack you.
  • Necklace of Suicide: A Necklace of Fireballs, since certain circumstances can cause all the beads to be set off on the wearer.
  • Splash Damage: On malfunctioning cabinets, hitting one panel may cause adjacent panels to set off as well.
Cite this Source
Set off and Cause. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/cause/set_off
Cause & Set off. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/cause/set_off>.
Set off or Cause. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/cause/set_off.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "cause" and "set off" have occurred on timeline