sets off

present tense third-person singular of set off

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sets off And the wandering king’s son and heir, Telemachus (Tom Holland), is convinced his father is still alive and sets off to find him. ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026 But the arrival of two strangers investigating her past sets off a series of events that prompts the residents of Crystal Lake to question who Pam Voorhees really is. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026 When the whole family sets off on a cross-country road trip to take teen Katie Mitchell to college, a rogue AI hatches a plan to launch all humans into space, and only the Mitchells can stop it. K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026 Kit departs, leaving Lauren in tears, and sets off for Wyoming for a new job and a chance at a new life. Barry Levitt, Time, 23 July 2026 Jessie, with the help of Woody and Buzz, sets off to help Bonnie make some real-world friends. Rachel Hale, USA Today, 26 June 2026 After a period devoted to motherhood, Agus sets off for a long yearned-for trip to Japan with dear friend Loly. John Hopewell, Variety, 25 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets off
Verb
  • Inhaling these particles triggers inflammation, increasing risks of cardiovascular complications and stroke, particularly for vulnerable populations like children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions.
    Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Many couples pick a dollar amount that triggers a conversation before either partner spends it, whether that is $100 or $500.
    Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • Chili introduces capsaicin, which activates nerves responsible for sensing heat rather than taste.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • Every summer in Rhode Island, Art&Newport—an organization founded in 2017 by Dodie Kazanjian, a longtime contributing editor at this magazine—activates one of the seaside city’s most historic (and picturesque) sites with a temporary art exhibition.
    Vogue, Vogue, 28 July 2026
Verb
  • On July 22nd, sparks from a piece of heavy machinery ignited a fire near the town of Burgohondo, in Ávila province.
    M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Mamdani announcement cracking down on tips sparks fury when internet notices one problem.
    , FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was photographed wearing Normatec compression boots in the back seat of his car on post‑match drives home before becoming an official partner.
    Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Emotionally powerful and also disorienting, Agazero’s shifting sounds on Dissidente are an invitation to reflect on what calls us to the dancefloor, as well as what drives us away from it.
    Amanda Cavalcanti, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
  • The result moves the KARNO platform beyond standalone operation and gives Hyliion a foundation for larger multi-megawatt installations built from standardized modules.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The film moves horizontally instead of vertically, and a lot of people get thrown off by that.
    Chris Stanton, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Sets off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets%20off. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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