as in to trigger
to cause to function
his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 touch off
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin now has the most goals in NHL history, a hallowed record that touched off reactions from around hockey and the broader sports world on Sunday.
—
John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
American trading partners reacted to Trump's tariffs announcement with condemnation and concern, warning that the measures could touch off a far-reaching and costly trade war.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025
In September 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union jointly invaded Poland, touching off the Second World War in Europe.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Anger at the Kushner development has fused with anti-government protests, which touched off last November after the collapse of the roof at a train station in Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for touch off
John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
American trading partners reacted to Trump's tariffs announcement with condemnation and concern, warning that the measures could touch off a far-reaching and costly trade war.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025
In September 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union jointly invaded Poland, touching off the Second World War in Europe.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Anger at the Kushner development has fused with anti-government protests, which touched off last November after the collapse of the roof at a train station in Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for touch off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off
Verb
-
But yeah, maybe she’s been a vegetarian this whole time and the proteins triggered something!—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In the current reality, where a viral tweet can trigger a market crash, this has become a powerful and useful tool.—
Kirill Sagitov,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Troopers located the Tesla and allegedly observed the vehicle traveling in the center lane at approximately 30 mph with its four-way hazard lights activated.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The final step requires flat ironing hair in small sections to activate the treatment.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
That turnover sparked a counterattack, allowing Rogers to squeeze out a chance with an xG of 0.35 at the back post — where the absent Mendes should have been.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Furthermore, the latest tariff announcements have sparked a broad selloff in consumer discretionary stocks, disproportionately impacting Crocs given its manufacturing presence in countries like China and Mexico.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Ontario Home Builders’ Association warned last month that tariffs and counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum products would likely drive up the costs of construction materials, making building and buying new homes more expensive, worsening the housing affordability issue.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Atlanta took advantage, with Trae Young driving for a layup to tie the score at 106 with 1.3 seconds remaining and force overtime.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Judy Benjamin, PhD, now 80 years old, set off on Saturday, April 5, on a 3,000-mile journey across the country.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Traditionally, it has been understood that galaxies evolve either via gradual aging or by merging, during which the collisions can set off bursts of star formation.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
That may be enough to power a standard laptop, but not enough to play video games with a powerful GPU.—
Benjamin Roulston,
The Conversation,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Last month, Vodafone demoed the technology by using the BlueBird satellites to power a video call from a remote region in Wales that lacked traditional cell coverage.—
Michael Kan,
PCMAG,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Our reporters talk to each other and move around candidates from one category to another.—
Alexandra York,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
The bill also included moving $1.1 million from the Constitutional Defense Fund into the Legislative Legal Defense Fund.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Touch off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touch%20off. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share