TOUCHING OFF Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

touching off

verb

present participle of touch off

as in triggering

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 touching off The university prepared to wash its hands of this important part of its legacy, touching off a furious backlash. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026 With two minutes left in the period, Parayko ran Yurov into the boards from behind, touching off a fight between the Blues’ defenseman and Trenin. — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026 Then suddenly, one set charged the other, touching off yearslong bloodshed that researchers are comparing to a human civil war. — Evan Bush, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026 Auriemma’s, UConn’s Hall-of-Fame women’s basketball coach, had an uncharacteristic melt-down during and after his team lost to South Carolina, 62-48, in the semifinals, touching off a shouting match with Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026 Last month, the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s editor wrote that a recent job applicant withdrew from consideration for a reporting fellowship after discovering the position included filing notes to an AI writing tool instead of actually writing stories, touching off a heated debate in media circles. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026 Shortly after Goularte got into their pickup truck in Morgan Hill, authorities say, Velasquez shot at him, touching off an 11-mile high-speed car chase through the city that ended near Monterey Road and Bailey Avenue on the southern reaches of San Jose. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026 The Facebook post has been viewed more than 140,000 times, touching off hundreds of comments over driver responsibility and technology. — David R. Smith, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025 Williams said, touching off laughter. — Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for touching off

Verb

Other team-period notes With the second team in the same period, running back Brashard Smith caught a quick pass from Justin Fields and juked a defender, triggering a collective gasp from the crowd.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
As the compressed sides bulge outward under load, the tower’s structural strength drops sharply, frequently triggering sudden buckling or catastrophic collapse.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026

Definition of triggering

Verb

The organization further noted that the showcase created meaningful engagement with the material while sparking conversations around co-production, financing, distribution and international collaboration.

— E'Ian West, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Doing so could serve the purpose of sparking other suitors into action.

— Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Definition of sparking

Verb

His top priorities include driving economic growth, creating well-paying jobs, and expanding opportunities for both union and non-union workers.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
Ballout was suspected of driving a van into a crowd near Berlin’s Pride festival Saturday night before apparently stabbing others with a machete in what authorities believe was an Islamic extremist terror attack.

— Geir Moulson, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

Definition of driving

Verb

The peaceful exile is shattered when Ravana’s sister, Surpanakha (played by Rakul Preet Singh), becomes infatuated with Rama, setting off a chain of events that leads to her humiliation.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2026
Think of it like setting off a firework inside of a long, narrow hallway (which, by the way, is a really bad idea).

— Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 16 July 2026

Definition of setting off

Verb

Bowed July 10, it is directed by Arima León, turning on their encounter and their correspondence afterwards.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 27 July 2026
In 2024, a Colorado family’s home security camera captured another dog accidentally turning on a stovetop after jumping up to investigate boxes left on the range.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026

Definition of turning on

Verb

That includes the recent NXT call-up of Ricky Saints as well as Raw stars Finn Balor and Gunther moving over to Friday nights.

— Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
The Fairview Fire was estimated at about 979 acres and remains a fast-moving threat, according to firefighters.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of moving

Browse Nearby Words

touching down

touching off

touching (on)

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“Touching off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touching%20off. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of touching off

verb

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