as in triggering
to cause to function
set off a bomb
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Recent Examples of setting off
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
Heidi is the empowered frontier woman, setting off from her parents’ Colorado lodge to reinvent everything about herself out west with a wild man.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Players opted out of the previous agreement in October 2024, setting off a negotiation window that extended well past the original expiration date of October 2025.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 18 Mar. 2026
Days later, Ghazali allegedly rammed a pickup into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, setting off a fire at the synagogue where a preschool attended by more than 100 children was in session, officials said.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
During a tense trip to the bank, Connie risks everything to secretly alert authorities, setting off a frantic search.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
Trump tapped Mullin to replace Kristi Noem as DHS secretary last week, setting off a scramble to replace the senator in the Sooner State.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2026
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan A fleeting moment of passion in post–VE Day Ohio binds Cal Jenkins and Margaret Salt, setting off a chain of secrets that spans generations.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
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
Heidi is the empowered frontier woman, setting off from her parents’ Colorado lodge to reinvent everything about herself out west with a wild man.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Players opted out of the previous agreement in October 2024, setting off a negotiation window that extended well past the original expiration date of October 2025.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 18 Mar. 2026
Days later, Ghazali allegedly rammed a pickup into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, setting off a fire at the synagogue where a preschool attended by more than 100 children was in session, officials said.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
During a tense trip to the bank, Connie risks everything to secretly alert authorities, setting off a frantic search.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
Trump tapped Mullin to replace Kristi Noem as DHS secretary last week, setting off a scramble to replace the senator in the Sooner State.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2026
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan A fleeting moment of passion in post–VE Day Ohio binds Cal Jenkins and Margaret Salt, setting off a chain of secrets that spans generations.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting off
Verb
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Israel launched a widespread strike on Iran's world-largest gas field, South Pars, triggering retaliation from Tehran against key energy sites across the Gulf Arab states.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
19 Mar. 2026
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Compounds formed when meat is cooked at high temperatures are believed to play a role by triggering cancer-causing changes in the colon, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Antagonists arrive in the form of a private equity firm looking to acquire the company, activating an endgame.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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Melbourne revitalized its center by activating small laneways with cafes, art and nightlife.—
Liam Stanton,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Later that year, Britain declared war on Germany, sparking World War II.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
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In 2006, Joshua Duckett’s two-year-old son, Trenton Duckett, went missing on a warm August night in Leesburg, sparking a nationwide search and global media sensation.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And the 6-9, 250-pound Boozer started to act like his brother Cayden, getting the ball up top in a point forward role on several possessions and then driving downhill.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
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The judge also had Crosby’s driving license suspended.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Prioritize visibility Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last month, the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s editor wrote that a recent job applicant withdrew from consideration for a reporting fellowship after discovering the position included filing notes to an AI writing tool instead of actually writing stories, touching off a heated debate in media circles.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
4 Mar. 2026
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Shortly after Goularte got into their pickup truck in Morgan Hill, authorities say, Velasquez shot at him, touching off an 11-mile high-speed car chase through the city that ended near Monterey Road and Bailey Avenue on the southern reaches of San Jose.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Begin the evening with an aperitivo in the sleek Lobby Bar before moving into the restaurant’s warm and womblike interior.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
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The show at the Kimbell is masterfully installed, both impressive and subtle in its narrative flow and visual rhythm and at moments quite moving.—
Sarah Kozlowski,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Setting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20off. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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