Get going; give impetus to:
— Her actions set in motion a complicated judicial process.

synonym: launch.

Roget 284: propel, project, throw, fling, cast, pitch, chuck, toss, jerk, heave, shy, hurl; flirt, fillip.    dart, lance, tilt; ejaculate, jaculate^†; fulminate, bolt, drive, sling, pitchfork.    send; send off, let off, fire off; discharge, shoot; launch, release, send forth, let fly; put in orbit, send into orbit, launch into orbit dash.    put in motion, set in motion; set agoing^†, start; give a start, give an impulse to; impel etc. 276; trundle etc. (set in rotation) 312; expel etc. 297.    carry one off one's legs; put to flight.    ... show more

Roget 264: be in motion etc. adj.; move, go, hie, gang, budge, stir, pass, flit; hover about, hover round, hover about; shift, slide, glide; roll, roll on; flow, stream, run, drift, sweep along; wander etc. (deviate) 279; walk etc. 266; change one's place, shift one's place, change one's quarters, shift one's quarters; dodge; keep going, keep moving; put in motion, set in motion; move; impel etc. 276; propel etc. 284; render movable, mobilize.    ... show more

Roget 677: use, make use of, employ, put to use; put in action, put in operation, put in practice; set in motion, set to work.    ply, work, wield, handle, manipulate; play, play off; exert, exercise, practice, avail oneself of, profit by, resort to, have recourse to, recur to, take betake oneself to; take up with, take advantage of; lay one's hands on, try.    render useful etc. 644; mold; turn to account, turn to use; convert to use, utilize; work up; call into play, bring into play; put into requisition; call forth, draw forth; press into service, enlist into the service; bring to bear upon, devote, dedicate, consecrate, apply, adhibit^†, dispose of; make a handle of, make a cat's-paw of.    fall back upon, make a shift with; make the most of, make the best of.    use up, swallow up; consume, absorb, expend; tax, task, wear, put to task.    ... show more

Dutch: spietsen