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
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Recent Examples of touch off
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin now has the most goals in NHL history, a hallowed record that touched off reactions from around hockey and the broader sports world on Sunday.
—
John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
American trading partners reacted to Trump's tariffs announcement with condemnation and concern, warning that the measures could touch off a far-reaching and costly trade war.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025
In September 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union jointly invaded Poland, touching off the Second World War in Europe.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Anger at the Kushner development has fused with anti-government protests, which touched off last November after the collapse of the roof at a train station in Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for touch off
John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
American trading partners reacted to Trump's tariffs announcement with condemnation and concern, warning that the measures could touch off a far-reaching and costly trade war.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025
In September 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union jointly invaded Poland, touching off the Second World War in Europe.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Anger at the Kushner development has fused with anti-government protests, which touched off last November after the collapse of the roof at a train station in Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for touch off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off
Verb
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However, the app’s rising popularity quickly triggered national security and data concerns outside China due to Beijing’s requirement for domestic firms to share data with the PRC.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
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Market Volatility: The 2022 inflation spike triggered a 52% stock drop (from $170 to $82), exceeding the S&P 500's 25.4% decline.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Mars and Pluto activate your Leo-Aquarius axis on April 26, stirring questions about career, leadership, and emotional safety.—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
18 Apr. 2025
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According to the statement, one NFI and one WFI were activated on April 14, and the other two NFIs were activated on April 16.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Johnnie was a high-ranking member of the Coney Island Brims gang, sparking concern there could be retaliatory violence over his killing, a law enforcement source said.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
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Fox News Digital recently reported that pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian agitators stormed a talk by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at Princeton, sparking criticism from Jewish students at Princeton.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Ontario Home Builders’ Association warned last month that tariffs and counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum products would likely drive up the costs of construction materials, making building and buying new homes more expensive, worsening the housing affordability issue.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
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The study found a 6% annual decline, driven by poaching, habitat loss and weak law enforcement.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His death now sets off the tradition of finding a new Vatican leader through the tradition known as a conclave.—
The Hill Staff,
The Hill,
26 Apr. 2025
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Lori claimed Tylee came out of her room with a baseball bat and tried to protect her, which set off a struggle between Vallow and Tylee, at which point Cox became involved leading to the shooting.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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From 1991 to 2019, real median household income rose > 30%, largely powered by sustained consumption.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Your muscles, meanwhile, have grown both new capillaries to shuttle that blood as well as tiny energy factories called mitochondria, which power your stride.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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According to Victoria Dittmar of Insight Crime, a think tank that studies organized crime in the Americas, production continues by other Sinaloa cartel factions, and has since moved into neighboring states like Sonora and Baja California, where cooks operate under the oversight of the cartel.—
Jason Motlagh,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2025
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Golden eagles will forage during migration flights and use this uplift from heated air, which also comes from open landscapes, to move efficiently during migration and seasonal movements.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Touch off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touch%20off. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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