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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Recent Examples of touches off
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
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touches off
Verb
-
Your mind is racing, and you’re tempted to say something impulsive, especially in a text, DM or conversation that triggers you.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
Early withdrawal typically triggers a penalty that can wipe out a meaningful chunk of the interest earned.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The Moon in Sagittarius activates your 3rd House of Communication, encouraging direct expression and clearer exchanges.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
This activates systems in your body that control your stress levels and your hormones.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Born blind and yearning for connection, his obsession sparks a subculture that helps shape the future of hacking and technology.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
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Benjamin Franklin linked sparks in the lab with lightning in the sky in his famous kite-flying experiment in 1752.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 May 2026
Verb
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So does her husband who drives a van for people with disabilities.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
7 May 2026
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As with all the company’s apparel and merchandise purchases, a portion of the proceeds supports the Guy Harvey Foundation, which funds scientific research, advances education and drives advocacy to protect marine ecosystems.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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In her latest Netflix action effort, Theron plays a woman who sets off on a trip to Australia to soothe her grief but unwittingly crosses paths with Egerton’s unnerving hunter, who forces her into a game of cat and mouse.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
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The first fight between on-the-rocks elder millennials Josh (Oscar Isaac) and Lindsay (Carey Mulligan), witnessed by the young betrotheds Austin (Charles Melton) and Ashley (Cailee Spaeny), creates the toxic connection between the couples and sets off everything else that happens on the show.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Light-diffusing pigments blur the look of dark circles, blemishes, and uneven skin tone with a soft-focus effect, while the proprietary Flex Form Matrix technology creates a breathable layer that moves with the skin throughout the day—without settling into fine lines or creasing.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
10 May 2026
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As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Touches off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touches%20off. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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