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

Both were booked Wednesday, triggering one-game suspensions that will keep them out of one of the club’s biggest matches of the season.

— Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Peptides are the building blocks of more complex proteins, triggering hormones inside the body needed for growth, metabolism and healing.

— Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Definition of triggering

Verb

Erlich’s installations remain incomplete until visitors enter them, activating the works through their own movement, curiosity and participation.

— Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Stewart grabs the ring activating it, before the car crashes in the canyon below.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 24 July 2026

Definition of activating

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

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

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

Spence, 36, makes his return after a nearly three-year layoff and a brutal TKO loss to Terence Crawford, moving up two divisions into hostile territory.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
That’s the tricky balance Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy must navigate moving forward.

— Nick Friedell, New York Times, 25 July 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 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of touching off

verb

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