as in triggers
to cause to function
set off a bomb
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Recent Examples of sets off
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
In the Disney+ series of the same name, rebellious princess Kit (Bottoms’ Ruby Cruz) sets off on a dangerous quest to rescue her twin brother from dastardly forces of evil.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 15 Oct. 2025
Instead, Swift sets off in search of a knockout.
—Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
The Carbon offers Apple Find My tracker integration and has its own Turbo System Lock that kills the motor and (optionally) sets off lights and siren alarms when the bike is moved while disabled.
—Kevin Purdy, ArsTechnica, 20 Sep. 2025
In Roland Emmerich’s enviro-disasterpiece, climate change sets off a series of events that send massive superstorms across the Earth, hurtling us into a new Ice Age.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
The ball smashes into the floodlights, and Hobbs sets off on his victory trot, in slow motion, with sparks cascading behind him like fireworks.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
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
In the Disney+ series of the same name, rebellious princess Kit (Bottoms’ Ruby Cruz) sets off on a dangerous quest to rescue her twin brother from dastardly forces of evil.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 15 Oct. 2025
Instead, Swift sets off in search of a knockout.
—Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
The Carbon offers Apple Find My tracker integration and has its own Turbo System Lock that kills the motor and (optionally) sets off lights and siren alarms when the bike is moved while disabled.
—Kevin Purdy, ArsTechnica, 20 Sep. 2025
In Roland Emmerich’s enviro-disasterpiece, climate change sets off a series of events that send massive superstorms across the Earth, hurtling us into a new Ice Age.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
The ball smashes into the floodlights, and Hobbs sets off on his victory trot, in slow motion, with sparks cascading behind him like fireworks.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets off
Verb
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Using solar energy, the device triggers evaporation to draw lithium inward, while its unique 30-degree tilt manages waste.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
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With persistent slabs, the first few travelers may pass without incident, only to hit a weak spot later that triggers a full release.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Instead of recognizing the tumor as an invader that needs to be destroyed, the brain processes the signal and activates the sympathetic nervous system, mainly known as the driver of the fight-or-flight response.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 2026
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Warm water increases gastric volume (the amount of contents in the stomach) and activates stretch receptors in your stomach, which send signals of fullness, Dardarian adds.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Outside,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lake Zurich 18-9 (3) Addison Leonard’s outstanding defense against Libertyville star Lily Fisher sparks the Bears, who surge to the top of the North Suburban Conference.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
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Their collaboration sparks unlikely friendships and sets off consequences none had anticipated.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Unlike body composition metrics, BMI obscures the true extent of metabolic dysfunction and cannot distinguish between muscle and fat — or between superficial fat and the visceral fat that drives diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions.—
Bret Scher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Some of what also drives Honnold is making the world a better place.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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This process, which powers the sun and stars, offers the potential for a virtually limitless power source.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Money may flow freely as the intuitive Moon moves through your 2nd House of Resources, trining lucky Jupiter in your 10th House of Goals.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
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The intuitive Moon moves through your 9th House of Travel, heightening the longing to explore ideas that restore hope and widen your world.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sets off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets%20off. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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