as in triggering
to cause to function
set off a bomb
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Recent Examples of setting off
Some need more power than a small city, more than any utility has ever supplied to a single user, setting off a race to build more power plants.
—
Marc Levy, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Federal agents shot to death two civilians on the streets of Minneapolis, setting off protests nationwide as well as sending tens of thousands to the streets in that city.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2026
In 2018, the company had a viral moment when Catherine’s sister-in-law, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, wore their jeans at a public event, setting off a frenzy that spiked demand and overwhelmed the tiny operation of around 20 employees at the time.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Feb. 2026
While crews were investigating, an explosion rocked the 15th and 16th floors, setting off multiple fires and briefly trapping firefighters in an elevator.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
Authorities said that in the moments leading up to the video, Husien shot at a police sergeant after the officer attempted to use his patrol vehicle to block the car Husien was driving, which police said had been taken in a carjacking, setting off a close-range gunfight at the sergeant’s SUV.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Thompson eluded law enforcement for hours — setting off a manhunt across a crime scene that stretched for 2 miles — before he was cornered in a shed, according to authorities.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
The ball bounced off the hands of linebacker Eric Kendricks, fell to the turf and spun slowly and harmlessly into the north end zone at Lincoln Financial Field, setting off a raucous celebration on the San Francisco 49ers’ sideline befitting of the Barbary Coast in its post-Gold Rush heyday.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Even a weak storm could dump a ton of rain on the mountainous island of Hispaniola, potentially setting off life-threatening mudslides and flash flooding.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Marc Levy, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Federal agents shot to death two civilians on the streets of Minneapolis, setting off protests nationwide as well as sending tens of thousands to the streets in that city.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2026
In 2018, the company had a viral moment when Catherine’s sister-in-law, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, wore their jeans at a public event, setting off a frenzy that spiked demand and overwhelmed the tiny operation of around 20 employees at the time.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Feb. 2026
While crews were investigating, an explosion rocked the 15th and 16th floors, setting off multiple fires and briefly trapping firefighters in an elevator.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
Authorities said that in the moments leading up to the video, Husien shot at a police sergeant after the officer attempted to use his patrol vehicle to block the car Husien was driving, which police said had been taken in a carjacking, setting off a close-range gunfight at the sergeant’s SUV.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Thompson eluded law enforcement for hours — setting off a manhunt across a crime scene that stretched for 2 miles — before he was cornered in a shed, according to authorities.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
The ball bounced off the hands of linebacker Eric Kendricks, fell to the turf and spun slowly and harmlessly into the north end zone at Lincoln Financial Field, setting off a raucous celebration on the San Francisco 49ers’ sideline befitting of the Barbary Coast in its post-Gold Rush heyday.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Even a weak storm could dump a ton of rain on the mountainous island of Hispaniola, potentially setting off life-threatening mudslides and flash flooding.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting off
Verb
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Paying the tax typically requires selling assets or borrowing against them, triggering capital gains taxes, leverage risks, and further distortions.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
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Illnesses like the flu can also lead to dehydration, triggering headaches and other symptoms.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In response, Walz issued an executive order activating cyber-security specialists from the Minnesota National Guard, and the FBI and private consultants quickly became involved.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
12 Feb. 2026
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To fix the issue for customers, Toyota dealers will modify the left and right rear door switch circuits to prevent them from activating, even if a short occurs.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Wilson’s mugshot exploded across social media, sparking a wave of online fixation as many women openly romanticized his looks.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
15 Feb. 2026
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However the new break-up plan diverges from an earlier promise where Ramaphosa said Eskom would be split into three standalone units, sparking uncertainty among some investors, noted South African newspaper Business Day.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Thought about driving a race car.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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In addition to the effects of the pandemic and tariffs, climate issues — drought in Vietnam, heavy rain in Indonesia, and hot, dry weather in Brazil — are blamed for reducing yields of coffee crops and driving up global prices.—
Matt Sedensky,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His naked self-dealing, weaponizing the Justice Department against his political foes, turning on our allies, the casino-fication of the White House — none of it bodes well for the future of our democracy, setting precedents that other presidents on both sides of the aisle could very well continue.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
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Kay, of course, is referencing Whitney turning on Jonah by ousting him from his own company.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As San Jose police and other law enforcement agencies converged on the site, authorities say Husien rushed a police sergeant who had just arrived and opened fire, touching off a close-range gunfight in which the sergeant was grazed in the head by a bullet.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
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The Facebook post has been viewed more than 140,000 times, touching off hundreds of comments over driver responsibility and technology.—
David R. Smith,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mostly, however, Gee’s sophisticated, stealthily moving film folds any bursts of emotion into its exquisitely dark shadows, letting Evans’ limpid but heartsore music do most of the weeping.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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Juliette Binoche has spent four decades embodying the restless intelligence of French and European cinema, moving effortlessly between auteurs and emotional registers.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Setting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20off. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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