as in triggers
to cause to function
set off a bomb
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Recent Examples of sets off
This sets off a negative feedback loop where future investments fail to yield returns, as the legacy business continues to shrink.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
In her latest Netflix action effort, Theron plays a woman who sets off on a trip to Australia to soothe her grief but unwittingly crosses paths with Egerton’s unnerving hunter, who forces her into a game of cat and mouse.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
The first fight between on-the-rocks elder millennials Josh (Oscar Isaac) and Lindsay (Carey Mulligan), witnessed by the young betrotheds Austin (Charles Melton) and Ashley (Cailee Spaeny), creates the toxic connection between the couples and sets off everything else that happens on the show.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
The show is a propulsive hurricane of misery and cringe, from the violent incident that sets off this series of unfortunate events to the twists and horrors that unfold.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Attractive green foliage sets off other plants in summer, and in fall, the plant displays a lovely yellow-gold color.
—Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
In Terminator, an all-powerful, faultless AI becomes sentient, decides that humans are the enemy, and sets off a nuclear apocalypse.
—Bipul Sinha, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Convinced that these images faithfully represent America, a group of villagers sets off for the New World.
—Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
The comedy horror film revolves around Brian (Tyler Perry) forbidding his daughter Tiffany (Diamond White) from attending a frat party, which sets off a string of Halloween pranks.
—Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
In her latest Netflix action effort, Theron plays a woman who sets off on a trip to Australia to soothe her grief but unwittingly crosses paths with Egerton’s unnerving hunter, who forces her into a game of cat and mouse.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
The first fight between on-the-rocks elder millennials Josh (Oscar Isaac) and Lindsay (Carey Mulligan), witnessed by the young betrotheds Austin (Charles Melton) and Ashley (Cailee Spaeny), creates the toxic connection between the couples and sets off everything else that happens on the show.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
The show is a propulsive hurricane of misery and cringe, from the violent incident that sets off this series of unfortunate events to the twists and horrors that unfold.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Attractive green foliage sets off other plants in summer, and in fall, the plant displays a lovely yellow-gold color.
—Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
In Terminator, an all-powerful, faultless AI becomes sentient, decides that humans are the enemy, and sets off a nuclear apocalypse.
—Bipul Sinha, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Convinced that these images faithfully represent America, a group of villagers sets off for the New World.
—Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
The comedy horror film revolves around Brian (Tyler Perry) forbidding his daughter Tiffany (Diamond White) from attending a frat party, which sets off a string of Halloween pranks.
—Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets off
Verb
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Clutched in the hands of students waiting to cross the stage is a QR code, either on paper or a phone, that triggers an announcement of their name.—
Kendall Staton The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2026
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The elder Mann’s determination to make the controversial trip triggers a slew of conflicting and complex emotions, opening old familial wounds that sit on the surface but go largely unspoken.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
25 May 2026
Verb
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American Century Investments donates 40% of its profits to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and activates fundraising at the tournament to drive direct donations to Stowers each year.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
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The Sun in Gemini activates your 3rd House of Communication, while Pluto in Aquarius pushes influence through your 11th House of Networks.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … TROPIC TERROR — String of dead women found in popular American tourist getaway sparks hunt for killer.—
,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
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When Ella Bright did her first chemistry read with fellow actor Belmont Cameli, sparks flew.—
Kenneal Patterson,
Vanity Fair,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Instead of targeting a business that creates jobs, drives economic activity and contributes to local revenue, city leaders should focus on fiscal discipline and core services.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
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Yuen, cast as the untrained newcomer who upends the protagonist’s world, provides the catalyst that drives the film toward its conclusion.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Researchers are adapting the magnetron—the same component that powers microwave ovens—to provide the 10 megawatts of power required for ADS.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Feb. 2026
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How Wisconsin's solar battery park powers 130,000 homes The Paris Solar farm began producing power in December 2024 and generates 200 megawatts of renewable electricity during the day.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the federal government’s immigration crackdown moves closer to the Bay Area, about 100 people gathered Saturday afternoon at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in East San Jose to protest plans to build a detention center in Gilroy.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
31 May 2026
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The Boroughs stars Molina as Sam Cooper, a retired engineer who moves to the village after the death of his wife.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sets off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets%20off. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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