as in triggering
to cause to function
set off a bomb
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Recent Examples of setting off
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, setting off a yearslong war that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and roiled the global economy.
—
Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
With that information, attackers can find weak spots and slip in without setting off alarms.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
Investors fear that the war will disrupt the Persian Gulf's energy industry for a long time, setting off a punishing wave of global inflation by keeping large amounts of oil and natural gas out of global markets.
—CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
During a Fourth of July protest outside an Alvarado detention center, at which demonstrators were setting off fireworks, an assailant fired a gun, wounding a police officer.
—Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
If the Iran war drags on for months, the outlook could quickly darken, setting off a downward economic spiral as falling stocks give way to weaker spending and, ultimately, a recession.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
According to The Information, incident began when an engineer used an internal agent tool to analyze a technical question; the agent then posted advice without approval, which another employee followed, setting off a chain reaction that opened access to restricted systems.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
With that information, attackers can find weak spots and slip in without setting off alarms.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
Investors fear that the war will disrupt the Persian Gulf's energy industry for a long time, setting off a punishing wave of global inflation by keeping large amounts of oil and natural gas out of global markets.
—CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
During a Fourth of July protest outside an Alvarado detention center, at which demonstrators were setting off fireworks, an assailant fired a gun, wounding a police officer.
—Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
If the Iran war drags on for months, the outlook could quickly darken, setting off a downward economic spiral as falling stocks give way to weaker spending and, ultimately, a recession.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
According to The Information, incident began when an engineer used an internal agent tool to analyze a technical question; the agent then posted advice without approval, which another employee followed, setting off a chain reaction that opened access to restricted systems.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting off
Verb
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Police testified Konig fled the scene after the hikers intervened, triggering a manhunt before he was spotted with what appeared to be blood on his shirt and taken into custody after a struggle.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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Oil tanker traffic through the strait plunged during the war due to Iranian attacks on vessels, triggering the largest oil supply disruption in history.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rhode The world of Rhode is activating in the desert!—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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The brain compensates by activating the forehead muscles to lift the brows.—
Carlos Wolf,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The proposal also is sparking opposition for what land — and trees — would be cleared to make way for the driving range.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
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Fuel tanks at its main airport were also struck on Wednesday, sparking a large fire.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, government data shows that car insurance prices have soared 55% compared with six years ago, or just before the pandemic, driving up the number of Americans going without.—
Alexa St. John,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
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Smith went 2 for 2 with a walk and double at the plate, driving in 2 runs and scoring a run, all out of the 9 hole in the lineup for Southwest Christian (24-4 overall, 6-1 district).—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Chavez and his aides repeatedly claimed that their critics are Communist or grower sympathizers who infiltrated the UFW before turning on it.—
Marcos Breton,
Sacbee.com,
24 Mar. 2026
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His comments caused a stir Wednesday from pro-Israel advocates who felt Newsom was turning on their interests.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Then suddenly, one set charged the other, touching off yearslong bloodshed that researchers are comparing to a human civil war.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
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Auriemma’s, UConn’s Hall-of-Fame women’s basketball coach, had an uncharacteristic melt-down during and after his team lost to South Carolina, 62-48, in the semifinals, touching off a shouting match with Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The trend of schools moving away from technology comes as evidence emerges that access to screens does not improve student outcomes and could instead be holding them back.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
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In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Setting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20off. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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