activate vs set off

activate and set off both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
activate	No	No	Yes	No
set off	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, activate and set off are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of activate include actuate, spark, spark off, touch off, trigger, trigger off, trip.

activate (verb)	set off (verb)
make active or more active	cause to burst with a violent release of energy
make (substances) radioactive	set in motion or cause to begin
aerate (sewage) so as to favor the growth of organisms that decompose organic matter	direct attention to, as if by means of contrast
make more adsorptive	provoke or stir up
put in motion or move to act	put in motion or move to act
	depart for someplace
	make up for