as in triggers
to cause to function
set off a bomb
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Recent Examples of sets off
After a period devoted to motherhood, Agus sets off for a long yearned-for trip to Japan with dear friend Loly.
—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
19 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
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
John Hopewell,
Variety,
19 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets off
Verb
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The next morning, eating breakfast triggers the gastrocolic reflex again.
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The new law bars gambling companies from sending push notifications to their app users, something that emerging research shows triggers people into betting more.
Verb
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The study identified phytic acid as one trigger that activates it.
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Beliefs bump against reality as the emotional Moon activates your 9th House of Learning, quincunx combative Mars in your 4th House of Home.
Verb
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Pizza is the kind of food that sparks arguments, and Charlotte now has enough quality slices to fuel a few.
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The score matters less than the conversations each prompt sparks.
Verb
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What drives so many people to 1) use racial slurs, then 2) go on Love Island USA?
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This sector, focusing on vessels over 30 meters, drives manufacturing, skilled employment, and tourism.
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.
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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.
Verb
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If the plant moves forward to the construction stage, the expenditures will not be recovered through local electric utility customer rates or consumer bills.
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This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
Cite this Entry
“Sets off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets%20off. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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