touch off
verb
touched off; touching off; touches off
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
Examples of touch off in a Sentence
his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts
Recent Examples on the Web
The university prepared to wash its hands of this important part of its legacy, touching off a furious backlash.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
The World Cup had played a role in a war, was the likely reason for a murder, and touched off the largest sports celebration in history.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
That touched off a conservative firestorm online, even though Wembanyama is French, meaning his country’s anthem wasn’t being played.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 6 June 2026
The race has touched off negative campaign advertisements between Feenstra and leading opponent and businessman Zach Lahn.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for touch off
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The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
The World Cup had played a role in a war, was the likely reason for a murder, and touched off the largest sports celebration in history.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
That touched off a conservative firestorm online, even though Wembanyama is French, meaning his country’s anthem wasn’t being played.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 6 June 2026
The race has touched off negative campaign advertisements between Feenstra and leading opponent and businessman Zach Lahn.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for touch off
Cite this Entry
“Touch off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touch%20off. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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