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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 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

Mitochondria also play central roles in detecting and reacting to stress, and even in triggering cells to self-destruct if damage is deemed too great.

— Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026
Smoke causes inflammation by triggering the body’s immune system to go into overtime to fight the irritant.

— Seth Borenstein, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Definition of triggering

Verb

The second exercise is a double-leg glute bridge and hold, which focuses on activating those hamstrings and glutes — both essential muscles in supporting acceleration and top speed.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Those launches were successful, but ground teams ran into problems activating and commissioning satellites made by York Space Systems and Lockheed Martin.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026

Definition of activating

Verb

Mike McDaniel is the new offensive coordinator, sparking excitement for Johnston to build off his flashes from last season.

— Jake Ciely, New York Times, 22 July 2026
This follows June and July reports that COSR lacked the finances, sparking American fans' hopes for Chiles to reclaim the medal.

— Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of sparking

Verb

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
Many accounts were opted in by default, making their public photos available to the tool and setting off alarm in the entertainment industry.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of setting off

Verb

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
Neighbors rescue two dogs from burning home Fire officials said Bo was the dog seen on video inadvertently turning on the toaster.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Definition of turning on

Verb

Regena and Frankie Felix went to the hospital ready for the birth of their child, but they were sent home by staff who felt Regena’s labor wasn’t moving along fast enough on Monday, July 13, Fox 10 reported.

— Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
Consider Updating Your Plumbing Just like with lighting, switches, and outlets, many kitchen renovators plan on adding or moving plumbing lines for appliances, pot fillers, and more.

— Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 18 July 2026

Definition of moving

Browse Nearby Words

touching down

touching off

touching (on)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Touching off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touching%20off. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of touching off

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

itinerant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes