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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Recent Examples of touching off
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
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
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The Telegraph, which has published anti-BBC commentary for years, reported on the existence of the memo on November 3, triggering days of controversy in the United Kingdom.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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The move comes after a single campus, the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade, received five straight F ratings, triggering a state law that requires the commissioner to intervene.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Voclosporin is a next-generation calcineurin inhibitor (CNI), a class of drugs that suppresses the immune system by blocking calcineurin, an enzyme required for activating T-cells—a type of white blood cell central to immune responses.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Mars wraps up its journey through Scorpio, which has been activating your career and legacy zone for weeks.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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His eerie behavior soon infects the quiet rhythms of their rural town, sparking paranoia, violence, and death.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
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Footage of the incident was widely circulated on TikTok, Facebook and X, fueling global criticism and sparking hashtags such as #StandWithMexico and #JusticeForFatima, Life & Style reported.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
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Take extra caution when on the road or avoid driving if possible.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Macklin Celebrini recorded his second career NHL hat trick and matched a career-high with five points, which included a key assist on Smith’s overtime winner, setting off a wild celebration for the previously winless Sharks (1-4-2).—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
24 Oct. 2025
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But instead Lane, then 34, ambushed her — setting off a violent scramble through the residence that left Wilkins unconscious, her fetus cut from her womb.—
Jillian Frankel,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Maybe the tide is turning on her feelings for him.—
Trish Deitch,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
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The 38-year-old woman now held at Sacramento County Main Jail, allegedly struck her husband with a vacuum cord before turning on her 10-year-old, beating the child with a metal pole.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted against moving ahead with the package, along with all but eight of his Democratic colleagues.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
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Director Michael Arden, meanwhile, is up to his elbows just moving the cumbersome Legos of Dane Laffrey’s set around.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Touching off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touching%20off. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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