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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Recent Examples of touch off
His death at age 80 has touched off a scramble among candidates seeking to fill the remainder of his term and take his seat in Congress for a full term beginning next year.
—
Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 2 May 2026
Their disappearance was not noticed for several hours and touched off a massive manhunt.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
This includes soaring gas prices at the pump, seesawing stock markets, rising food and fertilizer prices, higher shipping-insurance costs, and fuel shortages that have touched off violence, work stoppages, and profiteering in parts of Asia and Africa.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
Her announcement touched off a new round of progressive candidates backing away from the Iron Dome.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for touch off
Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 2 May 2026
Their disappearance was not noticed for several hours and touched off a massive manhunt.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
This includes soaring gas prices at the pump, seesawing stock markets, rising food and fertilizer prices, higher shipping-insurance costs, and fuel shortages that have touched off violence, work stoppages, and profiteering in parts of Asia and Africa.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
Her announcement touched off a new round of progressive candidates backing away from the Iron Dome.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for touch off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off
Verb
-
Depending on direct or indirect exposure by private creditors and special purpose vehicles to public banks, this may wipe out investors and trigger a broader recession.—
Rakesh Kumar,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
-
This typically gets worse over time and is often accompanied by a harsh goose-honking cough triggered by excitement or exercise.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Raven Room is a great spot for happy hour, and the owners have been going to great lengths lately to activate the space with programming such as live music.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Mercury in Cancer, for instance, activates your partnership sector — followed by the sun later this month — bringing focus to romantic, business or close one-on-one dynamics.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The killing sparked global unrest and the largest civil rights protest since the 1960s.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
The big-box retailer known for affordable style has returned to its roots, sparking a turnaround after a multiyear slump.—
Joel Mathis,
TheWeek,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
McCarthy doubled in the ninth to move Kyle Karros to third before Rumfield drove him home with a sac fly to right field for a 9-8 lead.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
The blend of plush but no-nonsense North American furnishings with opulent Ottomania creates a visually exotic yet comfort-driven aesthetic.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
That ruling, which came in a case involving Louisiana's congressional map, set off a rush in some Southern states to reconfigure their congressional districts to give Republicans an edge and help the GOP hold onto its House majority.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
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Nearly a half pound of gunpowder was used to blast the pieces, and the explosion was loud enough to set off nearby car alarms.—
Nhat V. Meyer,
Mercury News,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Fortunately, so many of the minerals needed to power our economy, strengthen our national security and rebuild our industrial capacity are right beneath our feet.—
Rich Nolan,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2026
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Those publications now sit in a privileged tier inside the retrieval systems that power the AI products your buyers use every day.—
Parry Headrick,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Make sure the belt doesn't move, push your knees out into the belt, and hold.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
29 May 2026
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Nippon Dynawave was cited for moving equipment involved before it could be inspected, but not for the incident itself, the news outlet reported.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Touch off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touch%20off. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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