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
Before heading out into the backcountry, pick up a Garmin inReach Messenger, 33 percent off, to stay in touch off the grid.
—
Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025
The shootings followed a September Free Press investigation that found at least 20% of department shootings in the past decade were touched off by nonviolent stops.
—Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 29 Nov. 2025
Carlson had an amiable sit-down on his podcast last month with Fuentes that touched off a controversy among conservatives.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2025
The Bengals then lined up for a desperation onside kick and, thanks to the slightest of touches off a Bears player’s foot, managed to recover the ball to get possession back.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for touch off
Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025
The shootings followed a September Free Press investigation that found at least 20% of department shootings in the past decade were touched off by nonviolent stops.
—Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 29 Nov. 2025
Carlson had an amiable sit-down on his podcast last month with Fuentes that touched off a controversy among conservatives.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2025
The Bengals then lined up for a desperation onside kick and, thanks to the slightest of touches off a Bears player’s foot, managed to recover the ball to get possession back.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for touch off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off
Verb
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She was released and showed back up over an hour later, triggering another scuffle.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Jan. 2026
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Routine recommendations trigger automatic prompts in medical records and enable nurses to vaccinate under standing orders.—
Jake Scott,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During inquiries, the ICO found 178 active email accounts using passwords identical or similar to those set by the organization’s IT desk when the account was activated.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Brown was 20 at the time, and Bongiovi was 22, which sparked some online controversy.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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China’s apparent surge in missile production comes as the US expends sophisticated defense systems in Ukraine and Israel, causing some ammunition shortages and sparking debate in Washington about how and where to deploy its high-end weapons.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As previously reported by Fox News Digital, the unrest has been driven by a mix of economic desperation and political anger.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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While there are some other small new concessions in the CBA that will help players make ends meet (such as getting access to health benefits in the offseason), to hear ECHLers explain their strike vote, the pay bump was never the driving force.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Before setting off, many migrants wrapped T-shirts around their faces as protection from the blistering sun.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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The police set off to raid the premises.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Walmart’s 400 kW chargers can power two EVs at once.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
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Lucid Group, Nuro, and Uber have unveiled the production-intent robotaxi that will power their upcoming global autonomous ride-hailing service.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Then, at the next vehicle entrance, the city is proposing a tunnel so bike traffic can move without interacting with cars.—
Amir Mahmoud,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Touch off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touch%20off. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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