as in triggering
to cause to function
set off a bomb
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of setting off
Meta’s partner EssilorLuxottica initially hesitated to put the Ray-Ban brand on the display glasses, setting off a race for the social network to win over its longtime partner.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
In Europe, tariffs aren’t the only thing setting off a wave of consolidation.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
In the finale, Rick shoots Jim, setting off a line of crossfire that ultimately kills his girlfriend Chelsea (Amy Lou Wood) before Sritala (Lek Patravadi) reveals that Jim was actually Rick’s father.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
One of his owners had gotten home from work and didn’t see him, setting off a search for clues.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
The amateur video shows the boat being pushed into the ocean down a track on the beach and then swaying within 15 minutes of setting off.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The Omni previously sought to demolish the building in 2019, setting off a years-long back-and-forth in local government and the courts over the fate of the structure.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
Qu reported the comment to UWM Police, setting off an investigation.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Gyokeres was setting off before Martin Odegaard even shaped to pass, running hard into the left channel, on the inside of Leny Yoro and moving beyond the United defender.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
In Europe, tariffs aren’t the only thing setting off a wave of consolidation.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
In the finale, Rick shoots Jim, setting off a line of crossfire that ultimately kills his girlfriend Chelsea (Amy Lou Wood) before Sritala (Lek Patravadi) reveals that Jim was actually Rick’s father.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
One of his owners had gotten home from work and didn’t see him, setting off a search for clues.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
The amateur video shows the boat being pushed into the ocean down a track on the beach and then swaying within 15 minutes of setting off.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The Omni previously sought to demolish the building in 2019, setting off a years-long back-and-forth in local government and the courts over the fate of the structure.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
Qu reported the comment to UWM Police, setting off an investigation.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Gyokeres was setting off before Martin Odegaard even shaped to pass, running hard into the left channel, on the inside of Leny Yoro and moving beyond the United defender.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting off
Verb
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Truss's reign was defined by two events—the death of Queen Elizabeth II and a tax slashing mini-budget which spooked the financial markets—triggering a loss of confidence from her own Conservative MPs and the collapse of her administration.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
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Venus triggering Uranus throws monetary curveballs your way.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mars activating Pluto can harness your career ambitions into an all-or-nothing approach.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
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This is especially true with clever Mercury transiting the depths of Scorpio, activating your eighth house of transformation and joint ventures.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Last Friday, aviation company Collins Aerospace was targeted in the cyber attack, sparking disruption for passengers who were set to depart from cities including London, Brussels, Berlin and Dublin.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
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The suspension came after Kimmel’s remarks after the assassination of Kirk, sparking a fierce public debate over censorship and political pressure on broadcasters.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Sep. 2025
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Arsenal have been so used to Saka coming inside onto his left foot, so to have a player who is equally capable of driving down the outside and running along the byline is a new threat.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The game could be categorized as a slugfest that showed both teams matching punch for punch, with Bishop Feehan (3-1) turning on the gas late and pulling away for the victory.—
Erik Anderson,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
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These cost-efficient facilities can come online more quickly, one at a time, while construction goes on, turning on revenue streams faster, Sabel said.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Williams said, touching off laughter.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Pearsall gets offense moving Ricky Pearsall entered Sunday’s game as the 49ers’ leading receiver and didn’t slow down.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
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However, a sports doctor has weighed in with a best and worst-case scenario for Lamb moving forward.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Setting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20off. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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