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
Williams said, touching off laughter.
—
Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2025
Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touching off
Verb
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The man said no, triggering a mistrial on the rape count.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
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Through perseverance, the seed discovers the power of her roots, triggering a revolution that transforms her world and fulfills her dreams in an unexpected way.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Maduro has categorically denied the allegations and has signed a decree activating a state of emergency in the event of foreign aggression.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
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Outsourcing the job to non-state actors allows aggressors to avoid activating the terms that trigger action in security alliances, making the reputational damage of inaction by the security guarantor much lower.—
Omar Al-Ubaydli,
semafor.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In July 2025, more than 200 farmworkers were detained during a mass ICE raid in Camarillo, California, where one worker died in custody, sparking protests and federal review.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
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The conversation quickly went viral, sparking debate over whether Newton’s request was reasonable or invasive.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
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Avoid driving during those conditions if possible.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On Thursday, Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and on a marketplace in eastern Afghanistan, according to Pakistani security officials and the Taliban, setting off retaliatory attacks by the Taliban.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
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The film begins with the title character having an epiphany and setting off on a journey to Italy with his manager (Sandler) and his long-suffering publicist (Laura Dern) in tow.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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The game could be categorized as a slugfest that showed both teams matching punch for punch, with Bishop Feehan (3-1) turning on the gas late and pulling away for the victory.—
Erik Anderson,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
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Players are moving around, not pointing fingers at others and are taking accountability.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Touching off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touching%20off. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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