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

Russian hybrid attacks are different from a traditional armed attack, but the alliance could theoretically trigger the collective defense clause in those cases.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026
The cortex is where the slow rhythms of deep sleep can be seen, but researchers assumed the signals that triggered them originated elsewhere.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of trigger

Verb

Researchers therefore began exploring partial reprogramming, briefly activating the Yamanaka factors in ways that appear to rejuvenate cells while maintaining their specialized identities.

— Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026
If the vehicle has no power and the window remains fully raised, Tesla warns the glass could shatter when someone activates the release.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of activate

Verb

That debate sparked angry exchanges among different justices, which led Justice Flávio Dino to ask for the review that led to postponing the decision.

— MAURICIO SAVARESE, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Her love of travel has been a lifelong passion but was undeniably sparked by a spontaneous solo trip to London her junior year of college.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of spark

Verb

Maybe real New Yorkers do drive, because this is some serious New York behavior.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
Yet the deepest human transformations operate on a different layer of architecture—driven by adaptive, systemic processes that our analytical minds can’t fully dictate.

— Patrick Murphy, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

As a result, the rise in diesel costs threatens to worsen a surge of inflation set off by the outbreak of the Iran war nearly seven months ago.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026
The move set off increases of up to 5% across pump stations in Lagos and the capital Abuja.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of set off

Verb

Allen threw three touchdown passes and ran for two scores to power the Bills to a 41-31 victory.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
That clean, green energy is then used to power two 15 kW electric motors and the hotel load, enabling true off-grid living.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

The helicopter moves quickly away from the bus crash site and starts losing altitude.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
Duarte’s writing features detailed prose and a moving storyline, encompassing grief, healing, and the losses borne by a Latinx family in the name of American patriotism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026