touched off

verb

past tense of touch off
as in activated
to cause to function his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 touched off 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 The order prompted the company to disable all global access to the two advanced systems and touched off intensive talks toward a resolution. — Josh Wingrove, Fortune, 27 June 2026 The plans have touched off stiff opposition from neighbors worried about soil erosion, already a problem in an area of steeply sloping topography, and potential well contamination. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026 That touched off speculation that perhaps a bachelorette party or some kind of pre-wedding celebration was afoot. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 20 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Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026 McBride, the Commodores, Morris Day & the Time and Young MC have all either withdrawn or publicly denied participation after the lineup reveal touched off immediate backlash. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touched off
  1. activated
  2. triggered
  3. sparked
  4. set off
  5. drove
Verb
  • In one incident, a child activated bear spray in a crowd; in another, officers recovered a gun after chasing another youth, police said.
    — Nathan Pilling July 29, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
  • The right-handed closer is scheduled to be activated Wednesday — fittingly, when 40,000 fans will receive an Díaz bobblehead — after missing three months because of right elbow surgery.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of activated
Verb
  • However, amongst all of these cases, there are some that were seemingly triggered remotely, and this leads Batou and Togusa on the trail of a shady robotics manufacturer, with a corrupt and entirely cybernetic boss.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • The Iran war triggered a historic oil shortage that drove up fuel costs and catapulted inflation to a three-year high.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of triggered
Verb
  • The massive influx of people, which totaled 70% of Ceuta’s resident population, sparked calls by local Spanish authorities for police and the army to establish order.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • His death sparked an outpouring of adoration from his Sopranos’ castmates, among others.
    — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparked
Verb
  • The romantic gesture set off a trend and from around 1790 to 1830, miniature artists began to house these tiny eyes in jewels as precious keepsakes.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The change set off a free-for-all this time around, as a dozen states bid for the chance to vote first.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of set off
Verb
  • The Jayhawks defeated Wichita State on Monday in Wichita, drove back to Lawrence on Tuesday morning, then boarded the bus for Lexington late Tuesday afternoon.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The Iran war triggered a historic oil shortage that drove up fuel costs and catapulted inflation to a three-year high in May, the same month Warsh took the helm of the central bank.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of drove

Browse Nearby Words

touched down
touched off
touched (on)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Touched off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touched%20off. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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