touch off

verb

touched off; touching off; touches off

transitive verb

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

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 Zambada’s arrest has touched off fighting in Mexico between rival factions in the Sinaloa cartel. Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 13 Sep. 2024 In 2017, four people were killed and 11 houses were destroyed after a landslide touched off a tsunami that struck the village of Nuugaatsiaq in west Greenland. Evan Bush, NBC News, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for touch off 

Word History

First Known Use

1694, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of touch off was in 1694

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 13 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

touch off

verb
: to start by or as if by touching with fire
the announcement touched off riots
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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