TOUCHES OFF Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

touches off

verb

present tense third-person singular of touch off

as in triggers

to cause to function his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts

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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 touches off But on its way to him, the ball took the smallest of touches off teammate Igor Matanović. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for touches off

Verb

The training triggers a strong response in the bloodstream, increasing the mobilization of proteins and molecules in the hours following exercise.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Hibernation on demand Hibernation is a specialty of squirrels, hamsters, and bears, but the neural circuit that triggers it is conserved across mammals, and is present in species that never hibernate in the wild—like mice.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of triggers

Verb

Kohler’s Dekoda, one of the newest entries, activates with a fingerprint tap on a remote.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
This celestial season activates your expansive ninth house of adventure, education and exposure, inspiring you to take a leap of faith or perhaps even embark on a meaningful trip.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of activates

Verb

The illusion of molten steel was basically water and mineral oil mixed with a little powdered sugar; creative lighting and heaters placed below the cameras—plus a few CGI sparks in the background—did the rest.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
She's tasked with completing the mercurial master's unfinished works, though Lori and Julian's relationship sparks needed connection and redemption for each.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of sparks

Verb

Reuse drives the design That reusable architecture could be just as important as the rocket’s lower unit cost.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
The science behind rare disease drug development is changing fast, and with it, so is the financial engine that drives it all.

— Brad Quick, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of drives

Verb

Researchers are adapting the magnetron—the same component that powers microwave ovens—to provide the 10 megawatts of power required for ADS.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
How Wisconsin's solar battery park powers 130,000 homes The Paris Solar farm began producing power in December 2024 and generates 200 megawatts of renewable electricity during the day.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025

Definition of powers

Verb

Ultimately, Miles sacrifices himself so that the others can escape, holding onto the detonator that sets off a massive explosion until his final breath.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
The idea that the relationship was ending sets off alarm bells for experts like Nikki Engel, who serves as the co-executive director of Violence Free Minnesota.

— Conor Wight, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of sets off

Verb

Trainers then lead participants in a 45-minute full-body workout before the class moves into another room fashioned as a recovery space with art and quiet music.

— Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Interestingly, the researchers also found that the three-dimensional arrangement or atomic orientation of the material could create different ray patterns, giving us more control over how heat moves through the material.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of moves

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touches down

touches off

touches (on)

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“Touches off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touches%20off. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of touches off

verb

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