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 government has challenged the ruling, triggering a lengthy appeals process — highly unusual in immigration cases that don’t involve serious crimes.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
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The game’s loot box mechanics — while not exclusive to EA — also led to backlash from gamers, triggering European regulators to investigate whether the feature constituted gambling.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This includes continuing to donate 5 percent of our profits to a range of organizations and activating our long-standing tradition of local volunteerism.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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With the sun shining in your sign until September 22 and both eclipses activating your axis of self and relationships, this month pushes you into taking initiative in your life.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The video has touched viewers deeply, sparking an outpouring of emotions online.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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And in 2010, Israeli forces attacked an aid flotilla in international waters, killing nine Turkish nationals and sparking outrage around the world.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
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In bodycam footage provided by Ory, the gold truck's driver said the woman driving the car behind him caused the wreck after pulling into the other lane to avoid colliding with the back of the truck.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 2018, the company had a viral moment when the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, wore their jeans at a public event, setting off a frenzy that spiked demand and overwhelmed the tiny operation of around 20 employees at the time.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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In the cold and austere German winter (a far cry from Dakar’s physical and cultural warmth), an anxious Nourou acts up outside a hotel and is accosted by a Polish security guard, setting off a minor chain reaction in which Maja intervenes on his behalf, much to his chagrin.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 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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Hurts then hit Jahan Dotson for 24 yards, moving the Eagles to the Denver 29-yard line with nine seconds left.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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In a positive sign, Nunoo was moving his hands and fingers, according to Sutton.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Touching off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touching%20off. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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