as in triggers
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touches off
Verb
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The hormone that triggers flowering is destroyed by light.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Oct. 2025 -
Trump peace deal triggers 72-hour countdown for Hamas to release 48 hostages from Gaza.—
,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The position also activates your core and upper body, improving the function of your thoracic spine (the middle section connecting to your ribs).—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
14 Oct. 2025
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The 2025 October West Coast Storm disaster declaration activates state public and individual assistance programs, providing grants for infrastructure restoration, emergency medical and transportation costs, and temporary housing assistance.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Erivo will voice Jayne Staplegun, a trailblazing fairy whose defiant streak sparks a rebellion.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
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Yet, there is a chance Flacco enters with his experience, professional accountability, strong arm and understanding of where the ball should go and sparks the most dynamic group of skill players he’s ever been given.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Financial Times also reported that both the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England have warned that global stock markets could face a sudden correction as the artificial intelligence boom drives valuations to levels reminiscent of the dotcom bubble.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
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Daniel Baxter, chief of operations for the elections department, said 99,000 Detroiters already received absentee ballots, adding that early voting also drives numbers beyond in-person voting at precincts.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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This process, which powers the sun and stars, offers the potential for a virtually limitless power source.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Instead, Swift sets off in search of a knockout.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
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The Carbon offers Apple Find My tracker integration and has its own Turbo System Lock that kills the motor and (optionally) sets off lights and siren alarms when the bike is moved while disabled.—
Kevin Purdy,
ArsTechnica,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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This design is lighter than traditional night vision systems and places the weight in a way that moves with the soldier.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Touches off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touches%20off. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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