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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Both are subject to disruption from the Milky Way's gravity, which triggers bursts of star formation within them and rips away a stream of gas from both, called the Magellanic Stream.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
7 June 2026
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This temperature disparity triggers a phenomenon known as the Weibel instability, which generates the magnetic fields.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 June 2026
Verb
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With swift footwork, Bottura activates his celebrity to focus the world’s attention on the tragedy in Modena.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The carrier's new Unlimited Day Pass, available on eSIM-capable unlocked iPads, does not require a contract or a credit check before a $3 payment activates 24 hours of mobile broadband.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The younger dude's use of Rick's musical idea and turning it into a worldwide hit sparks a thoughtful quest about fame and credit.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
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The Rams’ blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett sparks fresh buzz about Aaron Donald unretiring, raising the possibility of two future Hall of Famers anchoring a defensive line at SoFi.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The scenario might be to treat 23rd, 34th, 42nd, 59th, 125th, and maybe the streets leading to the transverse drives across the park this way, giving them over to buses and bikes with some street-dining structures and greenery to boot.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
4 June 2026
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That rapid glucose spike drives insulin up and can contribute to metabolic stress over time.—
Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj,
CNBC,
4 June 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 aircraft moves backward, the pilot starts each of the primary engines and brings them up to a stable idle.—
David Szondy
June 07,
New Atlas,
7 June 2026
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Printed circuit boards are the nervous system of every modern device, and when board costs spike, the pain moves fast through phones, laptops, wearables, gaming consoles, routers, and AI servers.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sets off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets%20off. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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