stimulate vs set off

stimulate and set off both are verbs.

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

As verbs, set off is a hyponym of stimulate; that is, set off is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than stimulate:

Other hyponyms of stimulate include entice, lure, tempt, rejuvenate, jog, incite, instigate, stir up, agitate, foment, stir up.

stimulate (verb)	set off (verb)
cause to be alert and energetic	cause to burst with a violent release of energy
act as a stimulant	set in motion or cause to begin
provide the needed stimulus for	direct attention to, as if by means of contrast
cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner	provoke or stir up
cause to occur rapidly	put in motion or move to act
stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of	depart for someplace
stir feelings in	make up for