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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 still-unknown circumstances around Wells’ death have touched off rampant online speculation and prompted calls from Black leaders for transparency from local authorities. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 The receivership touched off a painful community journey that brought on job reductions, layoffs and school closures as enrollment sharply declined. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 But on its way to him, the ball took the smallest of touches off teammate Igor Matanović. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 The order prompted the company to disable all global access to the two advanced systems and touched off intensive talks toward a resolution. — Josh Wingrove, Fortune, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for touch off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off

Verb

Before this dilemma can play out, Hal triggers an Indiana Jones–esque booby trap inside the compound’s stronghold, summoning Macon’s men with their advanced weaponry.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
The rain could trigger flash flooding and mudslides, particularly in mountainous areas.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of trigger

Verb

The Browns always envisioned defensive tackle Maliek Collins being activated from the physically unable to perform list in time to ramp up for the opener, and Collins is on schedule.

— Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Not even in World War II had this full continuity posture been activated in this manner, and Stafford had to execute a plan the nation had trained for but never used.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of activate

Verb

Early on Thursday morning technical researcher Eric Lu sparked worldwide excitement and confusion by posting a sequence of 130 digits on X (formerly Twitter).

— Peter Hall, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2026
The pulling of two men alive from a hydropower tunnel deep inside the Nepal Himalaya nine days after the disaster has sparked hope in Nepal.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of spark

Verb

Haaland, along with Martin Odegaard, was the driving force behind Norway’s run to the quarter-finals.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
If Assembly Bill 1709 is approved, social media companies would need to provide platforms to children under 16 years old that do not include personalized feeds driven by algorithms, autoplaying videos and other features.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

Then a bad pit stop set off a sequence of events that cost him dearly.

— Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Nationwide, investments in computing power sparked by the new technology of artificial intelligence have set off a commercial land rush, sending property values soaring in unlikely and out-of-the-way places.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of set off

Verb

That was enough to power the film to the best opening weekend in Scream history.

— Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026
Onslaught Is All Blood, No Guts Adam Wingard’s latest film is a too-slick wannabe grindhouse action-slasher lacking the engine necessary to power it.

— Britina Cheng, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

The Minot operation took that work a step further by moving an entire system for refurbishment.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Over the course of Exile, TV Rain’s studios as well as its various employees will be forced to move countries multiple times, everybody’s life and career atomized across the globe.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026