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 Meanwhile, an electric color palette of zingy greens, bold reds, and Prussian blues–touched off with plenty of black accents–amplifies the property’s wildly original juxtaposition of antiquity and modernity. — Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for touch off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off

Verb

The Knicks won their first NBA championship since 1973 in June but owner James Dolan said shortly afterward the team would avoid spending enough to trigger the penalties that come when a team reaches the second apron of the salary cap.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
These primitive instincts are highly attuned to potential danger and are often triggered before our conscious mind registers that something isn’t right.

— Georgia Casey, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of trigger

Verb

Choose from heat mode or cool mode depending on the season, and then activate night mode for the quietest settings and a dimmer display.

— Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
In order to promote its use, new ShipStation customers who choose to activate Ship with Walmart will be given a 20 percent discount on their annual subscription.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of activate

Verb

The killing of a woman in Okinawa has sparked an outcry across Japan and inflamed long-simmering tensions over the US military presence on the island.

— Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 7 Oct. 2026
The setback sparked wide speculation that Sánchez would move forward the general election and use the momentum on the housing issue against his right-wing opponents.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of spark

Verb

The reason for that is the unquenching market need for solid factual projects that can both be popular on linear channels and drive older viewers to streaming services.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
The urgency of their push comes as major European companies undergo huge job losses — Volkswagen plans to cut 100,000 workers — which experts have said could drive political upheaval.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

Sure enough, Blauvelt's body was found in the basement of the Simpsonville house in a box covered in plywood, setting off a search for her killer that would last years.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Gates is right that a line was crossed, but nothing followed, because no one had decided in advance what measures crossing it should set off.

— Raj Panjabi, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of set off

Verb

The buildout of artificial intelligence is driving investment in advanced semiconductors, servers and the sprawling data centers needed to power the technology.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Nuclear fusion attempts to copy the physical reactions that power the sun.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

Rural areas account for nearly 40% of sales of fast-moving consumer goods, according to data from consultancy Nielsen Consumer.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Tinubu’s then-employers at Mobil Oil told investigators his treasurer role did not involve moving large sums and that the company never authorized him to hold its funds personally.

— Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026