touch off
verb
touched off; touching off; touches off
1
a
: to provoke or initiate with sudden intensity
the verdict touched off local riots
b
: to cause to explode by or as if by touching with fire
2
: to describe or characterize with precision
Synonyms
Examples of touch off in a Sentence
his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts
Recent Examples on the Web
His resignation, handed in just hours before his arrest, has touched off a political firestorm at City Hall as the mayor and council jostle over how to fill Torres’ seat when his resignation becomes effective Nov. 27.
—
Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
The early strategizing underscored the magnitude of the justices' landmark decision, which rattled the nation's capital and now appears poised to touch off years of lawsuits that could redefine the U.S. government's role in modern American life.
—Tony Romm The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 1 July 2024
The trip has touched off a House Oversight Committee investigation and even a call from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for Zelensky to fire his ambassador to the U.S. for organizing the trip.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 26 Sep. 2024
The tightening presidential race has touched off a wave of tax planning by ultra-wealthy investors, especially given fears of a higher estate tax, according to advisors and tax attorneys.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for touch off 
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Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
The early strategizing underscored the magnitude of the justices' landmark decision, which rattled the nation's capital and now appears poised to touch off years of lawsuits that could redefine the U.S. government's role in modern American life.
—Tony Romm The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 1 July 2024
The trip has touched off a House Oversight Committee investigation and even a call from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for Zelensky to fire his ambassador to the U.S. for organizing the trip.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 26 Sep. 2024
The tightening presidential race has touched off a wave of tax planning by ultra-wealthy investors, especially given fears of a higher estate tax, according to advisors and tax attorneys.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for touch off
Dictionary Entries Near touch off
Cite this Entry
“Touch off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touch%20off. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
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