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
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Recent Examples of touch off
His detention has touched off protests across the country following a Trump administration order to crack down on student activism on college campuses in opposition to the Israel-Hamas war.
—
Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
That touched off a debate over whether Crowley was scapegoated or canned for poor leadership.
—Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 1 Mar. 2025
In Bangkok, Thailand, almost 900 miles from the earthquake's epicenter, a high rise building collapsed, killing at least three people and touching off a search for 81 workers believed to be trapped in the rubble, Defense Minister Phumtham told reporters.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
That set up Queen’s heroics that touched off a raucous celebration.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for touch off
Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
That touched off a debate over whether Crowley was scapegoated or canned for poor leadership.
—Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 1 Mar. 2025
In Bangkok, Thailand, almost 900 miles from the earthquake's epicenter, a high rise building collapsed, killing at least three people and touching off a search for 81 workers believed to be trapped in the rubble, Defense Minister Phumtham told reporters.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
That set up Queen’s heroics that touched off a raucous celebration.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for touch off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off
Verb
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The question is what might be triggering the response in some patients but not others.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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That assertive spark seems triggered partly by a quiet conversation with fellow sub Kevin (Scissor Sisters lead singer Jake Shears), who has his aging dom’s name, Steve, tattooed on his ass.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Using Pineal Glad Meditation Pineal gland meditation is a breathing technique associated with activating the pineal gland, a small gland in your brain that produces melatonin, a hormone that regulates your sleep and wakefulness.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
12 May 2025
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Burn bans are automatically activated by Florida counties whenever the Keetch-Byram Drought Index — a scale that measures the dryness of the soil — reaches or exceeds 500.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2025
Verb
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President Donald Trump‘s new wave of firings at independent agencies could spark another legal firestorm over his attempts to leverage his executive branch power.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2025
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But a few universal truths seem to spark bliss in people regardless of their personal preferences: Access to healthcare, education, green spaces, and a supportive community, to name a few.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2025
Verb
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About 150 students and 50 adults were evacuated from an elementary school in Maryland after hours of heavy rains driven by an atmospheric river caused major flooding in multiple eastern states.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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Now, Medicaid is something that also drives and fuels rural health care.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
14 May 2025
Verb
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The tit-for-tat measures set off a trade war with the third-largest U.S. trade partner, which accounted for nearly $440 billion worth of imports last year.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
9 May 2025
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The call led to a law enforcement response at the campus and set off a lockdown as the agency announced there was an active shooter in the building, officials said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Australia’s Anthony Albanese claimed a historic second term as prime minister on Saturday in a dramatic comeback against once-resurgent conservatives that was powered by voters' concerns about the influence of U.S. President Donald Trump.—
Kirsty Needham,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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Paul Goldschmidt also played a pivotal part in the win, powering the Yankees’ offense with a three-run homer off Mason Montgomery in the fifth inning.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2025
Verb
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Among girls' names, Mia moves into the top 5, knocking out Sophia, which was the No. 1 name for girls from 2011-2013 and had been in the top 5 every year from 2009 except for 2021.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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Basketball will move from Crypto.com Arena, home to the Lakers, to the Intuit Dome, the Clippers’ new arena, which is set to open in August.—
Tim Genske,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Touch off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touch%20off. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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