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

In April 2025, former Commissioner Chris Measmer resigned to join the North Carolina Senate, triggering a contentious appointment process that resulted in a lawsuit and a judge blocking the board’s initial choice.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026
Late Sunday, 15 waterways across northern Arizona and southwestern Colorado either reached or were forecast to reach major flood stage, triggering evacuations and washing out roads.

— Washington Post, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of triggering

Verb

Growing concern over microplastics and sustainability is sparking a wave of plastic-free coffee pods and machines.

— Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
The pirate crew is said to have tortured, killed and raped those aboard the royal ship, sparking global outrage and what is considered the first worldwide manhunt.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of sparking

Verb

The analyst noted that industry checks and data indicate that infrastructure software demand is strengthening, with AI increasingly driving usage and growth.

— TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026
According to court records, Rogers was driving the vehicle and Arrington was a passenger.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of driving

Verb

Davis announced plans to retire in July 2025, setting off a frenzied dash of more than a dozen candidates to represent one of America’s bluest congressional districts.

— Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
On the final day of the journey, Bushby pushed his cart toward a hero’s welcome at City Hall before setting off for the last stretch to see his mother.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of setting off

Verb

And some players are turning on the season as seen by them letting the Jaguars tear through weak tackle attempts to the tune of 183 rushing yards and three passing TDs by Trevor Lawrence.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
But Salazar, who, amazingly, is also a Cuban American former news anchor, is now reckoning with her district increasingly turning on the President amid economic pressure and an immigration crackdown that is extremely unpopular among Latinos.

— Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of turning on

Verb

One of the key questions investigators are working to answer is why the control center appeared to be unaware that a train remained stalled on the tracks ahead of a train moving at 120 mph.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
But what about those who exhibit other signs of depression who never stop moving, and may double down on their work?

— Allison Aubrey, NPR, 29 Oct. 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 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of touching off

verb

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