as in triggering
to cause to function
set off a bomb
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Recent Examples of setting off
In Europe, tariffs aren’t the only thing setting off a wave of consolidation.
—
Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
In the finale, Rick shoots Jim, setting off a line of crossfire that ultimately kills his girlfriend Chelsea (Amy Lou Wood) before Sritala (Lek Patravadi) reveals that Jim was actually Rick’s father.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
One of his owners had gotten home from work and didn’t see him, setting off a search for clues.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
The amateur video shows the boat being pushed into the ocean down a track on the beach and then swaying within 15 minutes of setting off.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The Omni previously sought to demolish the building in 2019, setting off a years-long back-and-forth in local government and the courts over the fate of the structure.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
Qu reported the comment to UWM Police, setting off an investigation.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Gyokeres was setting off before Martin Odegaard even shaped to pass, running hard into the left channel, on the inside of Leny Yoro and moving beyond the United defender.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
The moment, which quickly went viral, saw the pair duck to hide their faces from the camera, setting off alarm bells and becoming instant fodder for online chatter.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
In the finale, Rick shoots Jim, setting off a line of crossfire that ultimately kills his girlfriend Chelsea (Amy Lou Wood) before Sritala (Lek Patravadi) reveals that Jim was actually Rick’s father.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
One of his owners had gotten home from work and didn’t see him, setting off a search for clues.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
The amateur video shows the boat being pushed into the ocean down a track on the beach and then swaying within 15 minutes of setting off.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The Omni previously sought to demolish the building in 2019, setting off a years-long back-and-forth in local government and the courts over the fate of the structure.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
Qu reported the comment to UWM Police, setting off an investigation.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Gyokeres was setting off before Martin Odegaard even shaped to pass, running hard into the left channel, on the inside of Leny Yoro and moving beyond the United defender.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
The moment, which quickly went viral, saw the pair duck to hide their faces from the camera, setting off alarm bells and becoming instant fodder for online chatter.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting off
Verb
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An anonymous letter was mailed to local police and federal agencies, accusing individuals of gambling and triggering an investigation.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The latest summit was in the works before Pope Francis died in April, triggering the process to elect his successor.—
Antonia Mortensen,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Otherwise, the sheer magnitude of America’s natural gas resource has enabled drillers to quickly overwhelm temporary spikes in prices by activating a number of additional drillings and driving prices back down with higher production volumes.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The stand's design holds the watch on its side, automatically activating Nightstand Mode and turning your watch into a bedside clock.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In July, two Russian Gerbera drones -- one of which was carrying more than 4 pounds of explosives -- crossed into Lithuania from Belarus, sparking a national inquest as to the country's readiness to safeguard its airspace.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
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Instead of focusing only on top flyers, AAdvantage surprises mid-level customers with top-tier treatment, sparking aspiration and stronger engagement.—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Nothing better than putting down the top and driving beautiful roads just after the rain stops and the air is powerfully charged by the nearby ocean, scrubbed clean.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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The jury cleared Read of killing O’Keefe, charging her with just drunken driving.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Prioritize visibility Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
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Freezing your credit, turning on alerts and keeping an eye on medical and financial accounts give you back some control.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Williams said, touching off laughter.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Both offenses are moving with little resistance thus far.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
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Both injuries have significant implications for fantasy, as Jacory Croskey-Merritt is assured more touches in Washington moving forward; in Green Bay, Matthew Golden will have more chances to show his skills with Reed out in Week 3 and beyond.—
Jess Bryant,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Setting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20off. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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