as in triggering
to cause to function
set off a bomb
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Recent Examples of setting off
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
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, 27 Feb. 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
Damaging winds reaching up to 70 mph roared through southern and central Indiana early Thursday evening, setting off tornado sirens and causing destruction to homes, trees and power lines in Bloomington.
—Carol Kugler, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
In overtime, which is played 3-on-3 rather than 5-on-5, Keller took a long pass from Taylor Heise, deked past a Canadian defender and lifted a shot over the pads and under the blocker of goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens for the game-winner, setting off a wild celebration.
—Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
The intrigue detonates immediately with a commercial flight taken down by a missile strike, setting off a widening conspiracy.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 19 Feb. 2026
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
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, 27 Feb. 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
Damaging winds reaching up to 70 mph roared through southern and central Indiana early Thursday evening, setting off tornado sirens and causing destruction to homes, trees and power lines in Bloomington.
—Carol Kugler, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
In overtime, which is played 3-on-3 rather than 5-on-5, Keller took a long pass from Taylor Heise, deked past a Canadian defender and lifted a shot over the pads and under the blocker of goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens for the game-winner, setting off a wild celebration.
—Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
The intrigue detonates immediately with a commercial flight taken down by a missile strike, setting off a widening conspiracy.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting off
Verb
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After Hamas attacked Israel, on October 7, 2023, triggering a broad Israeli military campaign in Gaza, Israel killed Hamas leaders and decimated its military capabilities.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
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Duke's Malibu Duke's reopening timeline was pushed back several times after heavy rain soaked the bare hillsides, triggering mudslides throughout the burn scar, some of which filled the restaurant's property.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Physical controls remain especially useful for functions drivers use frequently, such as adjusting the audio system volume, changing climate settings and activating hazard lights.—
Chris Teague,
AJC.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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If activating brown fat increases energy expenditure, could it be harnessed to treat obesity?—
Claudio Villanueva,
The Conversation,
11 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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This intense demand is driving significant activity among niche data providers.—
NILESH CHRISTOPHER LOS ANGELES TIMES,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
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Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
15 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
-
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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So if a person thinks about moving their hand, the device reads those brain signals and turns them into an actual movement.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
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From that point, the cycle of roaming from beach to pool to spa to catamaran to tennis courts takes over, moving at the speed set entirely by you, the guest.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Setting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20off. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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