set off vs activate

set off and activate both are verbs.

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

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

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

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