TOUCH OFF Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

touch off

verb

Definition of touch off

as in to trigger

to cause to function his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts

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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 Meanwhile, an electric color palette of zingy greens, bold reds, and Prussian blues–touched off with plenty of black accents–amplifies the property’s wildly original juxtaposition of antiquity and modernity. — Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The still-unknown circumstances around Wells’ death have touched off rampant online speculation and prompted calls from Black leaders for transparency from local authorities. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 The receivership touched off a painful community journey that brought on job reductions, layoffs and school closures as enrollment sharply declined. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 But on its way to him, the ball took the smallest of touches off teammate Igor Matanović. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for touch off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off

Verb

The proposal would give frontier AI developers a clearer legal framework while restricting the circumstances that could trigger government action.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Wilson, whose comments helped trigger the confrontation, was not a defendant in the lawsuit.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of trigger

Verb

Users can speak to HomeView to control smart home devices, such as, for example, telling Siri to close the smart blinds or activate smart locks.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026
Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $180.

— Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of activate

Verb

These viruses infect diverse deep-sea prokaryotes that drive vital cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and metals.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
The benefits of space exploration extend well beyond the Moon, potentially driving advances in energy storage, electric vehicles and other technologies on Earth.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

This is adorned with two oval inlaid embroidery inserts accented with rhinestones and set off by a yellow lining, depicting the encounter between a woman seated in profile and a small Cupid.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Dropping two cylinders and losing almost three liters of displacement means there’s no option for shaking a garage on its foundations or setting off car alarms while waiting for a red light.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of set off

Verb

Four turboprop engines power the aircraft, giving it the performance needed for demanding military transport operations.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Where to build, what to manufacture, how to source materials, which technologies to invest in and how to power an operation can all carry meaning well beyond the original business rationale.

— Amanda Simonian, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

Components can move from machining to assembly on the same day or the following day, enabling teams to test design changes on physical hardware sooner.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
However, the higher PPI is pointing to an economy that is gradually moving away from deflationary pressures even if the recovery remains uneven, said Hao Zhou, chief economist at Guotai Junan International Holdings.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026