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

Conversely, a company may prevail in court while still suffering reputational harm, triggering a decline in share value, eroding stakeholder trust and reinforcing negative narratives.

— Alona Karpinska, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Steve Ballmer, the team’s owner, invested $60 million into Aspiration, triggering allegations that the payment to Leonard circumvented the NBA salary cap.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of triggering

Verb

New York City is activating its heat and flash flood emergency plans for Thursday and Friday due to dangerous temperatures and storms in the forecast.

— Katie Houlis, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Beyond sleep, tai chi helps lower blood pressure by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, the network of nerves that relaxes the body after stress or danger.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of activating

Verb

The operation has come under scrutiny, sparking questions as to whether those left on the decoy plane presumed to still be carrying the President were at risk.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
Once a quiet Mediterranean fishing village, Saint-Tropez exploded into a global hot spot in the 1950s, sparking a massive, decades-long surge in tourism, the National Geographic reported.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of sparking

Verb

These types of conversations help teens feel understood and strengthen trust, while uncovering more about what is really driving the desire to change up their look.

— Liz Regalia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
Nearly 30 years to the day that Shakur was gunned down in the passenger seat of a BMW Knight was driving, Davis is accused of murder for allegedly giving his crew the order to open fire on Shakur in retaliation for a fight.

— Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of driving

Verb

This year, Europe has been sweltering under an exceptionally hot and arid summer, with tinderbox conditions setting off unprecedented fires that have forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate homes and vacation spots.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
The peaceful exile is shattered when Ravana’s sister, Surpanakha (played by Rakul Preet Singh), becomes infatuated with Rama, setting off a chain of events that leads to her humiliation.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2026

Definition of setting off

Verb

When rolling, it is recommended to run the pasta through a pasta machine at the thickest setting first, then fold the pasta strip over itself into 3 thicknesses and repeat, before moving down a setting.

— Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Though one of the youngest in the field, Bullock carried herself with veteranlike focus, moving through her routine with confidence.

— Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of moving

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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 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of touching off

verb

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