touch off

verb

Definition of touch offnext
as in to trigger
to cause to function his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of touch off The tariffs have touched off a range of emotions along the world’s longest international border, where residents and industries are closely intertwined. — Dee-Ann Durbin and Sally Ho, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025 That revelation, in turn, has touched off something of a eureka moment for many in the industry. — Ars Technica, 24 Feb. 2025 The memo has touched off a crisis at the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office and in Adams’ administration. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025 Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal, bringing at least a temporary halt to the war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of people in the last 15 months and touched off broader turmoil across the Middle East. — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for touch off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off
  1. trigger
  2. activate
  3. spark
  4. drive
  5. set off
  6. power
  7. move
Verb
  • These intense reactions can be triggered by food, medication or insect stings.
    — Natallie Rocha, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The death of San Diego civic legend Leon Williams at age 102 triggered outpourings of appreciation and admiration for the groundbreaking Black community leader.
    — U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of trigger
Verb
  • The system can only be activated under certain driving conditions, requiring specific environmental and traffic criteria to be met.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Carsley said during his spell as interim coach that White still had his ‘do not disturb’ status activated after Southgate’s departure last summer.
    — Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of activate
Verb
  • One sailor was presumed dead in the collision, which sparked fears of significant environmental damage.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Nearly 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage in the attack that sparked the war in Gaza, according to the Israeli government, and more than 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in Israeli strikes, according to Gaza health officials.
    — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of spark
Verb
  • The decision to focus on Bernstein and von Karajan was driven by Danish’s fascination with their contrasting reputations and profound cultural influences.
    — Court Stroud, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
  • This is why machines driven by biological muscles have always been rather small and simple—up to a couple centimeters long and typically with only a single actuating joint.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of drive
Verb
  • The casting has set off a long string of controversies from many different sides of Harry Potter fandom, or even outside of that, for multiple reasons.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Police in Dallas said a fight that broke out between two people on Saturday set off the false alarm.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of set off
Verb
  • Algorithmic recommendation engines that power everything from X to YouTube can even contribute to a slow-burn destabilization of American society by shoving consumers into partisan echo chambers that increase polarization and erode social trust.
    — Seth Ashley, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The previous test flight, which similarly failed as the rocket was powering into space, most likely failed because of a leak in an engine causing a pressure buildup, the company said last month.
    — Alex Knapp, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of power
Verb
  • Re-signing two of their own free agents, defensive tackle Kevin Givens and running back Patrick Taylor Jr., to one-year deals didn’t move the enthusiasm needle much, either.
    — Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The legislative session moves fast — lawmakers have only two months each year to better the lives of Floridians.
    — Yacob Reyes, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of move

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Cite this Entry

“Touch off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touch%20off. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

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