as in triggering
to cause to function
set off a bomb
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Recent Examples of setting off
In 2018, the company had a viral moment when Catherine’s sister-in-law, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, wore their jeans at a public event, setting off a frenzy that spiked demand and overwhelmed the tiny operation of around 20 employees at the time.
—
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Feb. 2026
While crews were investigating, an explosion rocked the 15th and 16th floors, setting off multiple fires and briefly trapping firefighters in an elevator.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
Authorities said that in the moments leading up to the video, Husien shot at a police sergeant after the officer attempted to use his patrol vehicle to block the car Husien was driving, which police said had been taken in a carjacking, setting off a close-range gunfight at the sergeant’s SUV.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Thompson eluded law enforcement for hours — setting off a manhunt across a crime scene that stretched for 2 miles — before he was cornered in a shed, according to authorities.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
The ball bounced off the hands of linebacker Eric Kendricks, fell to the turf and spun slowly and harmlessly into the north end zone at Lincoln Financial Field, setting off a raucous celebration on the San Francisco 49ers’ sideline befitting of the Barbary Coast in its post-Gold Rush heyday.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
But instead Lane, then 34, ambushed her — setting off a violent scramble through the residence that left Wilkins unconscious, her fetus cut from her womb.
—Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Even a weak storm could dump a ton of rain on the mountainous island of Hispaniola, potentially setting off life-threatening mudslides and flash flooding.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
The biggest stop of the season came in the final seconds when the Hornets stopped the Bears on downs inside the 2, setting off a sideline celebration.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Feb. 2026
While crews were investigating, an explosion rocked the 15th and 16th floors, setting off multiple fires and briefly trapping firefighters in an elevator.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
Authorities said that in the moments leading up to the video, Husien shot at a police sergeant after the officer attempted to use his patrol vehicle to block the car Husien was driving, which police said had been taken in a carjacking, setting off a close-range gunfight at the sergeant’s SUV.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Thompson eluded law enforcement for hours — setting off a manhunt across a crime scene that stretched for 2 miles — before he was cornered in a shed, according to authorities.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
The ball bounced off the hands of linebacker Eric Kendricks, fell to the turf and spun slowly and harmlessly into the north end zone at Lincoln Financial Field, setting off a raucous celebration on the San Francisco 49ers’ sideline befitting of the Barbary Coast in its post-Gold Rush heyday.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
But instead Lane, then 34, ambushed her — setting off a violent scramble through the residence that left Wilkins unconscious, her fetus cut from her womb.
—Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Even a weak storm could dump a ton of rain on the mountainous island of Hispaniola, potentially setting off life-threatening mudslides and flash flooding.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
The biggest stop of the season came in the final seconds when the Hornets stopped the Bears on downs inside the 2, setting off a sideline celebration.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting off
Verb
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Paying the tax typically requires selling assets or borrowing against them, triggering capital gains taxes, leverage risks, and further distortions.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
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Illnesses like the flu can also lead to dehydration, triggering headaches and other symptoms.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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February begins quietly but powerfully with a full moon in Leo activating your 12th house, asking for closure, rest and emotional release.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
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Exploration calls as pleasure-seeking Venus forms a quincunx to jovial Jupiter, activating your 9th House of Learning with a nudge to adjust expensive plans.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, were taken from their snowy suburban Minneapolis driveway last month to a family detention center in Dilley, Texas, sparking widespread outrage.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
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Inmates across the country have died or been hospitalized due to hypothermia, sparking lawsuits, criminal charges and watchdog reports that raise concerns about how well jails and prisons respond to the cold.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The arrest report also stated that Ramirez-Mesa was driving at least twice the speed limit, which was 40 miles per hour.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
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Cops quickly determined the 42-year-old suspect was drunk behind the wheel and charged him with driving while intoxicated.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His naked self-dealing, weaponizing the Justice Department against his political foes, turning on our allies, the casino-fication of the White House — none of it bodes well for the future of our democracy, setting precedents that other presidents on both sides of the aisle could very well continue.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
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Kay, of course, is referencing Whitney turning on Jonah by ousting him from his own company.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As San Jose police and other law enforcement agencies converged on the site, authorities say Husien rushed a police sergeant who had just arrived and opened fire, touching off a close-range gunfight in which the sergeant was grazed in the head by a bullet.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
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The Facebook post has been viewed more than 140,000 times, touching off hundreds of comments over driver responsibility and technology.—
David R. Smith,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The two-day road trip would also mark Guthrie’s first time moving away from home.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Where is Ellen DeGeneres moving now?—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Setting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20off. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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