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touch off

verb

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of touch off

transitive verb

1 a :to provoke or initiate with sudden intensity

the verdict touched off local riots

b :to cause to explode by or as if by touching with fire

2 :to describe or characterize with precision

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Examples of touch off in a Sentence

his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts

First Known Use of touch off

1694

touch off Synonyms

Synonyms

actuate, crank (up), drive, move, run, set off, spark, start, activate, trigger, turn on

Antonyms

cut, cut out, deactivate, kill, shut off, turn off

Related Words

kick over, turn over; charge, electrify, energize, fire, fuel, generate, power, push; discharge, launch, release, switch, trip; reactivate, recharge; arouse, excite, jump-start, kick-start, stimulate, vitalize; ignite, incite, instigate, provoke, quicken, stir up; accelerate, catalyze, speed (up), step up

Near Antonyms

arrest, brake, check, cut off, draw up, halt, jam, stall, stick, stop; decelerate, repress, slow, stunt, suppress

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See words that rhyme with touch off Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for touch off

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Examples: touch off in a Sentence