TOUCH OFF Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

touch off

verb

Definition of touch off

as in to trigger

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

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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 plans have touched off stiff opposition from neighbors worried about soil erosion, already a problem in an area of steeply sloping topography, and potential well contamination. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026 That touched off speculation that perhaps a bachelorette party or some kind of pre-wedding celebration was afoot. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026 The Three Lions narrowly missed another scoring opportunity as Jude Bellingham couldn’t get the proper touch off a cross in front of the net from Noni Madueke in the 32nd minute. — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for touch off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off

Verb

Prices reached record highs over the past two years, triggered by adverse weather conditions and poor cocoa harvests that pushed chocolate costs higher and dampened consumer sentiment.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 27 July 2026
But the conflict in the Middle East has intensified in recent weeks, triggering a spike in global energy prices.

— Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 July 2026

Definition of trigger

Verb

Running beta code comes at the consumer’s own risk; diving into the settings to activate features not specifically enabled by Apple will increase that risk.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Air defenses were activated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, according to state media.

— Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of activate

Verb

The massive influx of people, which totaled 70% of Ceuta’s resident population, sparked calls by local Spanish authorities for police and the army to establish order.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
In fact, this unassuming little coupe was the one car that sparked the global roadster boom of the early 1990s, when the MX-5’s huge popularity convinced European carmakers to create the Boxster, SLK, TT, Z3, MGF and Barchetta.

— Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of spark

Verb

To prevent speculation that drives up land price without actual construction, the zoning benefits would be granted only on submission of building-permit applications.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Real estate has always been driven by connections between buyers and sellers.

— Heartland MLS®, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

Many who are bitten never develop an allergic reaction at all, while others become so sensitive that merely smelling hamburger smoke can set off a painful response.

— Andy Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2026
Come afternoon, drive 15 minutes to Odeceixe beach or set off on one of the nearby hiking trails, passing through small villages and farms.

— Katie Silcox, Vogue, 24 July 2026

Definition of set off

Verb

Google is investing in its Gemini AI model and has more data from Google Maps and other services to power its answers.

— Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 26 July 2026
The accelerator relies on line-replaceable units (LRUs) to generate short, high-energy pulses that power the electron beam used to create X-rays.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026

Definition of power

Verb

The Tigers won for just the second time in six games to start a three-city West Coast swing and moved within 3 1/2 games of the final wild-card spot in the American League.

— CBS News, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
If the proposal moves forward, corporate demographic data related to employee race and gender would be less available to the public.

— Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026