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

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 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
  1. triggers
  2. activates
  3. sparks
  4. drives
  5. powers
  6. sets off
  7. moves
Verb
  • The intense heat triggers a rapid reaction in which carbon bonds with silica to form silicon carbide, a ultra-hard, heat-tolerant compound.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • That single request triggers decisions about which data to pull, which accounts qualify, whether sensitive information should leave the organization and whether sending the email is even permitted.
    — Kumar Chivukula, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of triggers
Verb
  • After the release mechanism activates, the polymer hinges use heat to unfold the solar panels.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
  • This loosens the spine and activates energy through the main energy centers.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of activates
Verb
  • Nvidia scandal sparks calls for export curbs The potential ouster of Nvidia’s CEO could lead to a tightening of US controls on the sale of cutting-edge semiconductor technology to China.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Continue reading … NATION IN CHAOS — Fires erupt, storefronts smashed as massive strike sparks riots across Spain.
    — , FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of sparks
Verb
  • However, there’s also another unprecedented force at work in the form of a historically strong El Niño, which typically drives warmer global temperatures.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2026
  • So, my first question to you both would be, what’s your take on whether these two are pure psychopaths or what drives them?
    — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 12 Nov. 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
  • The ouster sets off a scramble to find a permanent replacement to lead Nvidia, which did not have a succession plan.
    — Kelvin Chan, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
  • As Prue and Curtis struggle to unravel the twisty lore of the obstacle-laden forest in their search for Mac, their outsider presence inadvertently sets off a long-festering showdown for control of the forest between its warring factions.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of sets off
Verb
  • The film has to meet the needs of romance, but isn’t that the problem, the expectation that life moves like genre?
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Amtrak and Canal Edge, LLC have an explicit financial interest in ensuring this project moves forward quickly.
    — Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of moves

Browse Nearby Words

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

Cite this Entry

“Touches off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touches%20off. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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