SETS OFF Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

sets off

verb

present tense third-person singular of set off

as in triggers

to cause to function set off a bomb

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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 The idea that the relationship was ending sets off alarm bells for experts like Nikki Engel, who serves as the co-executive director of Violence Free Minnesota. — Conor Wight, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 The Southeast Asian nation sits on the Ring of Fire, a band around the Pacific Ocean that sets off frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 That sets off a rescue mission — and also creates dangerous shifts in present-day reality. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets off

Verb

The training triggers a strong response in the bloodstream, increasing the mobilization of proteins and molecules in the hours following exercise.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Hibernation on demand Hibernation is a specialty of squirrels, hamsters, and bears, but the neural circuit that triggers it is conserved across mammals, and is present in species that never hibernate in the wild—like mice.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of triggers

Verb

The result is a drug delivery system that activates only when needed, avoiding the risk of long-term administration of needlessly high doses.

— Mike McRae August 19, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026
Whether positive or challenging, everyone will see it while the Scorpio moon activates Jupiter.

— USA TODAY, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of activates

Verb

Their move back from the United States sparks questions about security, their formal role — and whether the couple could overshadow the official royal family.

— Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
But what really sparks for me is the connection with the employees and the connection with the customers.

— Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of sparks

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

Definition of powers

Verb

Trainers then lead participants in a 45-minute full-body workout before the class moves into another room fashioned as a recovery space with art and quiet music.

— Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Interestingly, the researchers also found that the three-dimensional arrangement or atomic orientation of the material could create different ray patterns, giving us more control over how heat moves through the material.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026