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 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
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
In 1971, Nixon replaced Martin with a distinguished economist, Arthur Burns, whose policies touched off the great inflation.
—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for touch off
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
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
In 1971, Nixon replaced Martin with a distinguished economist, Arthur Burns, whose policies touched off the great inflation.
—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for touch off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off
Verb
-
Still, despite the squad’s positivity, the match triggered a lot of bad memories in the minds of Spain fans everywhere ahead of what many thought could be an excellent chance to earn the nation’s second World Cup.
-
In February, an exposure at a state high school wrestling championship triggered at least 46 cases among attendees.
Verb
-
Beliefs bump against reality as the emotional Moon activates your 9th House of Learning, quincunx combative Mars in your 4th House of Home.
-
The previous phases decompress, mobilize and activate individual areas; this one integrates all of those aspects into coordinated, whole-body functional movement.
Verb
-
Despite the lack of physical or video evidence, Kim said Rinderknecht is the only person who could have sparked the blaze.
-
This marks an increase of nearly 8% from the price that sparked national headlines.
Verb
-
Those moves unfold in the heart of the Pittsburgh Innovation District, where Oakland’s mix of universities, hospitals and startups is driving new construction and intensifying competition for space around campus.
-
The shooting took place in Towson Circle as the Majied and the suspect were driving in different cars.
Verb
-
With the country cash-strapped, the Arab Spring of 2011 set off a wave of mass migration into Europe, which coincided with the widespread perception that the extra numbers were placing further strains on already creaking resources of jobs, housing and healthcare.
-
Prosecutors said that the group launched a premeditated terror attack on the detention facility inspired by antifa ideology, by setting off fireworks, vandalizing property, and shooting at police officers who responded.
Verb
-
That hardware, in turn, provides the foundation to power next-generation artificial intelligence models.
-
The solar array does not power the building directly but provides power into the city power grid.
Verb
-
This pair is made from organic cotton and spandex, creating a comfortable material that moves with you.
-
Gregory said that approach helped convince her to move forward with the project.
Cite this Entry
“Touch off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touch%20off. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
